Turkish MP faces probe over 'insulting president' shortly after joining main opposition CHP
An Istanbul prosecutor has launched an investigation against MP Cemal Enginyurt for alleged insults and threats toward President Erdoğan during a CHP meeting. Enginyurt recently joined CHP's ranks from the Democrat Party.
Duvar English
A Turkish court on Feb. 4 launched an investigation into opposition MP Cemal Enginyurt for "insulting the President" and "making threats."
Enginyurt, from the oppositional Democrat Party (DP), was elected to parliament through the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) lists in the 2023 general elections. He recently resigned from his party, to join the CHP on a Feb. 4 group meeting.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement saying, "An investigation has been launched ex officio against Istanbul MP Cemal Enginyurt for the crimes of insulting and threatening the President based on remarks he made during his party’s group meeting today."
During his speech at the CHP group meeting, Enginyurt said he addressed “the creator of this empire of fear, the architect of this dictatorship of oppression and cruelty,” referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
He continued, “I am speaking on behalf of those in Silivri [Prison]: A ship cannot sail on the sea of tyranny, and if we don’t sink it, shame on us. If we don’t imprison you in the same dungeon where we were unjustly imprisoned, shame on us.”
CHP Chair Özgür Özel condemned the investigation, claiming the prosecutor lacked jurisdiction to investigate a member of parliament, as they had parliamentary immunity.
He directly addressed Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akın Gürlek as the “mobile guillotine in Istanbul.”
“Your investigation will result in incompetence, and any decision by your court will demonstrate ignorance and clumsiness. But know this: you are not on our agenda,” he concluded.