Turkish socialist party leader receives prison sentence for questioning Erdoğan’s university diploma

Duvar English

The Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance last week sentenced socialist People's Liberation Party (HKP) leader Nurullah Efe Ankut to prison on the charge of “insulting the President.”

Ankut received one year and two months of prison sentence over his 2021-dated column in which he questioned President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s university diploma, ANKA News Agency reported on Feb. 23.

Whether President Erdoğan holds a university diploma or not is often debated in the country. A university degree is a necessary condition for being eligible to hold the presidential office in Turkey.

In his testimony, Ankut said, “I am here to judge, not to be judged. Tayyip Erdoğan should bring his diploma, then we accept all sentences without objection.”

He also did not request to be acquitted, because “I’m 80, willing to serve any sentence, but I cannot spare you, young people. If you do not sentence me, these oppressors will harm you, so I would be happier if you young judges sentence me.”

The party leader was previously tried on similar charges and sentenced to a total of 14 years, seven months, and five days in prison and a political ban, waiting at the appeals court. 

Ankut is known for making furious official propaganda speeches broadcasted on state television TRT prior to the elections.

His party received 0.06% of the votes in the 2023 parliamentary elections.