Court fines journalist Levent Gültekin for insulting President Erdoğan’s son-in-law
A Turkish court on Nov. 23 fined journalist Levent Gültekin for “insulting” Selçuk Bayraktar, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s son-in-law and owner of defense technology company Baykar.
Duvar English
A Turkish court on Nov. 23 ruled to fine opposition journalist Levent Gültekin for “insulting” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s son-in-law and defense contractor Selçuk Bayraktar.
The court ruled Gültekin to pay 25,000 Turkish Lira (850 dollars) to the plaintiff.
Gültekin shared the court ruling on his social media and said “May you never benefit from the money,” to Bayraktar.
His post reads, “I just said that the entire defense sector of the country was tied to the son-in-law, who himself is tied to his father-in-law (President Erdoğan). My words did not include any insult or slander, it was simple criticism. The government is using its force to seize our money. Are you happy now, mister son-in-law? May you never benefit from the money, and may you lose it in manifolds.”
Selçuk Bayraktar is among the names uttered behind the scenes as the next leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Bayraktar co-owns the drone company Baykar with his brother which regularly undertakes giant procurement contracts with the government of Turkey.