“Lightbulb Tayyip” Slogan Sued Again

17 individuals including 12 minors in the northwestern province of Bursa have been sued over shouting the slogan “Lightbulb Tayyip” to protest the exam system.

On March 25, in the aftermath of Turkey’s university entrance exam (YGS), a group of students students from Liseli Genç Umut held a demonstration to protest the exam system. Protestors marched towards governing AKP’s headquarters in downtown Bursa as  they shouted the slogan “Lightbulb Tayyip”. 

Following the demonstration, officials launched investigations on 16 high school students, 1 university student, 1 journalist from sendika.org and 2 other individuals who were not protestors. 

17 individuals were sued over “insulting a public worker” after the investigation. 

The trial of adult defendants will be held by Bursa 1st Peace Court on May 30, while the trial of minor defendants will be held by Bursa 1st Child’s Court on June 27. 

In a statement, Liseli Genç Umut group reiterated their slogan “Lightbulb Tayyip”: 

“AKP is trying every possible means of oppression to overcome the rebellion of the youth. These investations and prosecutions are a part of this.” 

Related trials 

“Lightbulb Tayyip” slogan became subject to prosecutions in the past. Lastly, 7 students from Liseli Genç Umut group were sued over the slogan. The second hearing of the trial will be held on May 30.  

In Bursa province, various courts ruled the following verdicts: 

* Bursa 4th District Court found 2 high school students and 2 teachers guilty for defaming PM Erdogan, sentencing them to 11 months and 20 days of prison.  - a sentence that was suspended later on.

* Bursa 2nd Juvenile Court found a “Lisesi Genç Umut” member guilty for shouting slogans  “You are a lightbulb, Tayyip” and “Formerly religious, new liberal, sold out education” to protest Turkey’s university entry exam (OSS), sentencing him to 7 months and 23 days of prison - a sentence that was commuted to 3 months and 26 days of public service.

* Bursa 1. District Court acquitted 7 Halkevleri organization members for defaming PM Erdogan with a banner “Lighbulb Tayyip” at a protest against university tuitions. 

* Bursa 3. Peace Court found 3 students “not guilty” for protesting PM Erdoğan with the slogan “Ampul Tayyip” during an anti-IMF protest in 2008. (BK/BM)