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.

Thursday November 23 2023 10:41 pm

This collage shows journalist Levent Gültekin (L) and Erdoğan’s son-in-law Selçuk Bayraktar (R)

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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.”

“Koca ülkenin savunma sanayisini damada bağlamışlar o da kaderini kayınpederine bağlamış” dediğim için mahkeme 25 bin TL tazminat ödememe karar vermiş, hakaret yok, iftira yok, basit bir eleştiri, devlet gücüyle paramıza çöküyorlar, mutlu musunuz sayın damat? Haram olsun bu para…
— Levent Gültekin (@acikcenk) November 23, 2023

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.