Erdoğan files criminal complaint against two main opposition MPs over 'insulting the president'
President Erdoğan has filed a criminal complaint against two main opposition CHP lawmakers, demanding that they be prosecuted on charges of “insulting the president.” The accusations concern Engin Özkoç and Aykut Erdoğdu's remarks during a program aired on television TELE 1. The lawsuit comes after journalist Sedef Kabaş was jailed for her remarks uttered during the same program.
Duvar English
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has filed a criminal complaint against main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) lawmakers Engin Özkoç and Aykut Erdoğdu, demanding that they stand trial on charges of “insulting the president.”
The charges concern the lawmakers' appearance during a program aired on television channel TELE 1 on Jan. 14. Along with journalist Sedef Kabaş, Özkoç and Erdoğdu were guests in the relevant program. Kabaş was later jailed on charges of “insulting the president” over a palace-related proverb.
The petition filed by Erdoğan's lawyer to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office argued that remarks of Özkoç and Erdoğdu “constitute slander and insult in a way violating personal rights and exceed the freedom of expression.”
The petition demanded that prosecutors launch an investigation into the two opposition lawmakers on charges of “insulting the president.”
Earlier this week, Turkey's media watchdog RTÜK issued a monetary fine TELE 1 and suspended the relevant program for five episodes. Also, provincial branches of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) have simultaneously filed criminal complaints against Kabaş, Özkoç and Erdoğdu.