Supporters of internationally acclaimed Turkish pianist Fazil Say gather outside the Istanbul court where his trial began on Thursday.<br/> <br />The 42-year-old is charged with insulting Muslim religious values on twitter.<br/> <br />Say quoted a well known poem by 11th century Persian poet Omar Khayyam that ridiculed the hypocrisy of those claiming to be pious.<br/> <br />Defiant demonstrators here brought a banner with the words of the poem written on it.<br/> <br />One lawyer at the protest said the trial threatens Turkish freedom.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) GERMAN LAWMAKER OF TURKISH ORIGIN SEVIL DAGDELEN:<br/> <br />"We believe that this case is mostly against freedom of expression. Therefore, I am here to stand in solidarity."<br/> <br />Say has performed with orchestras in New York, Berlin, Israel, France and Tokyo, and served as a cultural ambassador to the European Union.<br/> <br />His hearing was adjourned until February 2013 - if convicted the internationally renowned pianist could face 18 months in prison.
