Turkish pianist who insulted Islam on Twitter faces jail time

The state-run Anatolia news agency reported on Friday that an İstanbul court will decide whether to accept the proposed indictment against Fazıl Say, who has played piano with the New York Philharmonic, Berliner Symphoniker, Israel Philharmonic, Orchestre National de France and Tokyo Symphony.

The prosecutor accuses 42-year-old Say of inciting hatred and public enmity and insulting "religious values." Say, who has served as a culture ambassador for the European Union, allegedly mocked Islamic beliefs on Twitter.

Last month, Say sent controversial tweets questioning whether heaven in Islamic belief is like a brothel or pub because the Quran says there are rivers of drinks and houris, or very beautiful women, in heaven for those who commit good deeds while they are on earth.