‘I Called Minister Soylu "Bald" as a Physical Description’

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An investigation has been launched against lawyer Tugay Bek for calling Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu "the bald-headed person." Bek is now facing the possible charge of "insulting a public officer."

Speaking to bianet about the issue, lawyer Bek has stated that he deposed to the prosecutor's office as part of this investigation on February 3. In his deposition, he underlined that his statement fell within freedom of expression and used the expression "as a physical description."

Indicating that his reference to Solyu as "the bald-headed person" is just an excuse, Bek has underscored that what really bothered them was the disclosure of the crimes committed by state-appointed trustees.

Bek to be investigated for 'insulting President' as well

The investigation has been filed against lawyer Tugay Bek following his statements after the actions of the trustee appointed to the Metropolitan Municipality of Mardin were shared with the public. The lawyer is investigated due to the below remarks:

"The bald-headed person wearing a Tayyip Erdoğan-style chequered jacket is Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, who has dismissed the mayor elected with the people's vote and appointed the governor under his command in the mayor's place. And Trustee Governor Mustafa Yaman is seen here while he was trying to get his minister to like two presents of 40 thousand lira and 42 thousand lira each as an expression of his gratitude."

CLICK - Mardin Trustee Allegedly Gave Thousands of Lira Worth of Presents to Erdoğan, Ministers

After lawyer Bek shared this message on social media, first, an investigation for "insulting the President" has been launched against him.

Bek has recounted what happened next in following words:

"The police issued the investigation report for 'insulting the president' based on three different social media messages. The prosecutor whom I deposed told me that the evaluation for this charge would be made by deputy chief public prosecutor, but he could himself take my deposition on charge of 'insulting a public officer'. 'It falls within my jurisdiction', he said.

"He claimed that calling the minister of interior 'bald' constituted a crime. And I told him that it was not a crime, but was within freedom of expression.

'They were bothered with trustee-related posts'

"My posts were about trustees in the first place. Mardin Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Türk shared the trustee's doings with the press and presented documents. And I shared a picture where Minister Soylu was at a jeweler with the trustee and wrote about the allegation that 82 thousand lira was paid for the presents. I talked about the unlawfulness of it.

"And the prosecutor told me that I could not call the minister bald. But, it is just an excuse for it all, what really bothered them was the disclosure of the crimes committed by trustees. The right thing to do would be to launch an investigation for slandering the minister, but they did not do it. They did not say that the minister would not do something like that. They have launched an investigation into the word 'bald' instead.

"Prosecutor told me 'What I look here is the intention. You tried to offend the minister, you tried to humiliate him.' But what I did there was only a physical description. I expressed a political criticism of the trustee system. Politically speaking, a minister was expected to give an answer to that. However, instead of giving an answer, he preferred to take an action with the police and prosecutor under his command."

If the investigation does not end in a decision of non-prosecution, Tugay Bek will stand trial on charge of 'insulting a public officer." (AS/SD)