Turkish singer, Bulent Ersoy, defies the State...

A popular Turkish singer has defended public statements that Turkey's long conflict with Kurdish rebels needs a solution - not more deaths. 

Bulent Ersoy made her comments at a court hearing in Istanbul, after being charged with attempting to turn the public against military service. 

The transsexual singer also suggested that if she had a son she would not send him to fight. 

If found guilty, she faces up to four-and-a-half years in prison. 

Ms Ersoy made her comments about Turkey's powerful military on television last February. 

The Turkish army was conducting a major operation against the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq at the time. 

Some 40,000 people have died since the conflict with the PKK began in 1984. More...

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