Duchess of York Charged by Turkish Authorities over Orphanage Film

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Duchess of York is facing the possibility of more than 20 years in jail after she was charged for secretly filming children in Turkish orphanages.

Turkish authorities have asked the British government to help obtain evidence to prosecute the Duchess over allegations that she breached the privacy of children living in state-run institutions.

The Turkish government accused the Duchess of trying to smear the country’s image three years ago with an investigative television report about conditions in its orphanages.

On Thursday, the office of Turkey’s chief prosecutor announced that it was pressing charges against the Duchess for “violating the privacy” of five children.

If found guilty, the Duchess, 52, could face between seven and a half years and 22 and a half years in prison.

The charge was issued in the Duchess’s absence and accuses her of prying into the private lives of youngsters at the Saray orphanage near Ankara, where more than 700 disabled children are housed. » | Murray Wardrop | Thursday, January 12, 2012

Turkey Criticises British Film on Turkish Orphanages
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: Turkey said on Friday a British television documentary about its orphanages using Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, in an undercover role could harm the welfare of the children involved.

"The way in which the disguised Duchess of York was used to shoot scenes with a hidden camera ... was done without taking into consideration the adverse effects of such unprepared visits on the intellectual and emotional development of these children," Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said.

He made the comments about the ITV documentary, the first part of which aired this week, at a joint news conference with Foreign Secretary David Miliband, where Turkey's bid to join the European Union was relegated to a minor role.

Babacan said Turkey had launched an inquiry into the allegations made in the documentary and anyone responsible for misconduct would be charged.

But he said Turkey regretted the approach used by the makers of the programme, which he said focussed on a rehabilitation centre for mentally handicapped children.

The documentary follows Ferguson, the former wife of Queen Elizabeth's second son, as she visits state orphanages in Turkey and Romania. She poses as a potential charitable donor and secret cameras follow her.

On her visits, Ferguson saw evidence of children being tied to beds and disabled children generally neglected by overworked staff. >>> Reuters / By Adrian Croft | November 7, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>