ISTANBUL, Turkey, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- World famous Turkish pianist Fazil Say is on trial over remarks he made on Twitter that allegedly supported atheism, officials said.
Say is facing charges of inciting religious hatred and insulting Islam for the comments he made via Twitter in April, Voice of America reported.
"Wherever there is a stupid person or a thief, they are believers in God. Is this a paradox?" Say tweeted.
Turkey has a secular government but nearly all its population is Muslim.
Say appeared in an Istanbul courtroom Thursday to defend himself against the charges, for which he could be sentenced to a possible 18 months in prison.
A number of prominent artists and public officials have expressed support for Say, who has served as cultural ambassador for the European Union and has performed with several orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Hurriyet Daily News reported.
"I wish Fazil Say wouldn't oblige us to make such explanations on international platforms," said Egemen Bagis, the minister for European Union Affairs.
