I Will not Let my Charisma be Damaged!

Hilal Incesu, a caricaturist at the "Ulkede Ozgur Gundem" (Free Agenda in the Country) newspaper, commented on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan suing the Daily Evrensel newspaper for a caricature, and the court ruling that the newspaper has to pay 10 billion Turkish liras (USD 6,700) in compensation. "I think it's nonsense," said Incesu. "No one in the international community will understand this trial. They will be very surprised."

Caricaturist Musa Kart drew the the incident in his caricature corner called, "Above the Boot," in the Cumhuriyet (Republic) newspaper.

In Kart's caricature, a stick man, representing the prime minister, speaks into the microphone of a reporter: "Yes, let's join the EU for personal rights and freedoms. However, I will not let my charisma be damaged!"

Incesu: I was sentenced to 50 months in prison, it was suspended

Halil Incesu, the caricaturist of the "General Elektrik" was sued for "insulting the flag" and was acquitted. Incesu thinks it is positive that the media is paying so much attention to the trial about caricaturist Selvi of the Daily Evrensel.

"We are so used to a lack of professional solidarity," said the caricaturist of 25 years. He believes that the media attention stems from the fact that it is the prime minister who sued a newspaper. "For example, if the issue was about making villagers eat faeces, there would not be so much media attention," said Incesu.

"We go to the court alone, we get tried, and we get out," said Incesu, adding that only human rights activist Sanar Yurdatapan supported him by publishing his sued caricature in a book titled, "Freedom of Opinions Booklet."

Incesu said he drew interesting caricatures while he worked for other publications, but added these were never sued. He argued that the state has a specific attitude toward the Agenda newspaper.

"I was sentenced to 50 months in prison but the sentence was later suspended," said Incesu. "I had tens of cases against me. For quite a while, I would go to court first thing in the morning and then go to work."

Musa Kart was "scared" to draw the prime minister

Musa Kart at the Cumhuriyet newspaper had a caricature on the trial about Sefer Selvi's caricature. Kart, in his caricature corner called "Above the Boot," drew a stick man to represent the prime minister. The stick man speaks to the microphone of a reporter: "Yes, let's join the EU for personal rights and freedoms. But I will not let my charisma be damaged!" (EO/EU/EA/YE)