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Prosecutors in the capital city of Ankara are investigating Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Ali Mahir Başarır for "openly degrading the government and the military organization" over his remarks during a TV program.
Başarır said, "For the first time in the history of the Republic, the army of the state is sold to Qatar," during a program on Habertürk on Saturday (November 28). "I can't assess it's value, it is said that it's 20 billion dollars. It is sold for 50 million dollars."
After the program, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that it opened an investigation against the lawmaker as per Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), the country's media overseeing authority, also announced that it would examine the program, saying that the words of the main opposition deputy were "unacceptable."
"The Turkish Armed Forces is the honor of our sacred nation," it said, adding that no one has the right to talk against the "heroic" army.
The RTÜK has the authority to impose sanctions on the broadcaster over the MP's remarks.
Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code(1) A person who publicly degrades Turkish Nation, State of the Turkish Republic, Turkish Grand National Assembly, the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the judicial bodies of the State shall be sentenced a penalty of imprisonment for a term of six months to two years. |
(HA/VK)
