Show allows jailed writers to speak free

A NEW exhibition on the right of freedom of speech has been launched in the Capital.

The Writers in Prison exhibition at the Writers' Museum at Lady Stair's Close is inspired by imprisoned writers and banned publications.

It includes the "empty chair", which has been touring Scottish literary festivals, including the Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh Radical Book Fair.

The chair highlights writers internationally who are imprisoned, suffer torture or are in hiding.

Councillor Deidre Brock, the city's culture and leisure leader, said: "Here in Scotland, we perhaps take freedom of expression somewhat for granted.

"This display brings home how different things are in other parts of the world, where writers and journalists have been incarcerated, tortured or murdered simply for expressing their views."