Re-removal of film from festival announced, organizer says he is receiving death threats

The Director of Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival this evening announced that they decided -for the second time- to exclude from competition lineup a documentary film, which according to Turkish authorities should not compete because a legal case involving one of the individuals in the documentary has not yet been finalized.

Upon pressures, the documentary titled "Kanun Hukmu" was earlier removed from the National Documentary Film Competition of the festival, then reinstated more recently after the film's exclusion sparked wide protests and a boycott by many directors.

After the film was reinstated, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and some sponsors today announced withdrawal of support from the festival.

Ahmet Boyacioglu, the festival's director, later in the day said in a written statement that an investigation was launched against him over the reinstatement decision, and that from that moment on he and other members of the organization team have received serious threats on life.

Stating that it is "unacceptable for them to be labeled as supporter of a terrorist group," Boyacaioglu announced that they decided once again to exclude "Kanun Hukmu" from competition.

The documentary tells about the struggle of two public employees who were dismissed over "terror" accusations.