Investigation launched into journo for 'not congratulating national volleyball team' in Turkey

Turkish authorities have launched an investigation into journalist Oktay Candemir over his tweet saying he does not congratulate the Turkish Women's Volleyball Team since Turkey does not “accept the existence and language of the Kurds,” so they do not have a national “sense of belonging.”

Tuesday September 26 2023 12:22 pm

Duvar English

Turkish authorities have launched an investigation into journalist Oktay Candemir on charges of “inciting the people to hatred and enmity” for saying that he will not congratulate the Turkish national women's volleyball team.

Following the recent successes of the national team, Candemir said in a tweet on Sept. 6 that “When Turkey becomes democratized by accepting the existence and language of the Kurds, then we will congratulate the success of the national volleyball team. What has changed in this country that we can say 'Bravo' with a sense of belonging?”

Türkiye ne zamanki; Kürtlerin varlığını, dilini kabul ederek demokratikleşirse o zaman biz de Voleybol milli takımının başarısını tebrik ederiz. Ama simdi değil... Bu ülkede ne değişti ki, biz aidiyet duygusu ile 'Bravo' diyelim.
— Oktay Candemir (@oktaycandemir) September 5, 2023

Candemir said in his testimony on Sept. 25 in a police station in the eastern province of Van that Turkey needed a more democratic and freer constitution, according to reporting from Mezopotamya News Agency.

“A constitution that covers all segments will be for the benefit of the country. Therefore, the success of the volleyball team will then be celebrated more strongly and everyone will be in a situation where they will feel like they belong (to the country). What I mean is the emphasis on a more democratic and freer constitution and also within the scope of freedom of expression. These statements do not constitute a crime,” he added.

Previously, Candemir was detained for his social media posts and articles said to be critical of the Ottoman-era TV series “Diriliş Ertuğrul.”

The national women’s volleyball team clinched the titles in the FIVB Nations League, European Championship and the 2023 World Cup in this year.