Acquittal in “Dictator” Case: Cursing Not An Insult

Defendants charged with saying “God damn it, PM became a dictator” to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during his prime ministry stood trial for the last time yesterday. 

Istanbul 15^th Assize Court acquitted defendants Deniz Tosyalı, Burcu Kara, Adem Malak and Koray Çağlayan for all charges on the third hearing. 

Erdoğan joined as plaintiff 

The aforementioned incident took place on July 25 when PM Erdoğan’s convoy was commuting through Beşiktaş district in Istanbul. Defendants, two university students, one teacher and driver, were initially detained by force and then charged with insulting the prime minister. It was also claimed that they insulted the police officers by saying “fascist police, dogs of the state”.

Erdoğan also joined the case as plaintiff “in case that he could be harmed by the crime”. 

"Not sufficient evidence"

On the other hand, Prosecutor Zeynel Sarıbuğa wrote in his opinion that the aforementioned words were cursing - which didn’t constitute a crime. He also added that no evidence were to prove that suspects resisted to impede police officers to hold their duties. 

While defendants were charged with “resisting the police officers to hold their duties” and “insult” according to Turkish Penal Code, the court ruled that there was no sufficient evidence to prove the charges. 

Court judge Mustafa Erdoğan annouced the verdict, saying that “the conviction of a defendant is mainly dependent on the fact that the charges are proved leaving no suspicion otherwise”. (AS/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.