Müjdat Gezen, Metin Akpınar Referred to Court

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Theater and film actors Metin Akpınar and Müjdat Gezen, who were targeted by pro-government media outlets and President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan due to their statements on a TV program, were taken to the İstanbul Anatolian Courthouse to depose in company with police officers today (December 24).

An investigation was launched against Akpınar and Gezen in relation with their statements on Saturday (December 22).

CLICK - Erdoğan Said, 'They Will Pay Price'; Investigation Launched Against Akpınar, Gezen

As reported by Hürriyet newspaper, after police officers came to his house early today, Metin Akpınar went out of his house alone and got into his own vehicle to go to the courthouse for his deposition. Akpınar said, "Mr. Prosecutor has summoned us. We are going to depose."

Speaking to the Odatv news website, Akpınar said,

"The statements taken from our program were misinterpreted and reported in the news like that. It must be because those statements were falsely communicated to President that he said, 'You will give account at the courthouse. You will pay the price.' And the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has taken action and summoned us to depose.

"We did not do anything to deserve this. In no part of our statements was the name of the Dear President mentioned or targeted. It is absolutely not the case. We just tried to make descriptions in the context of our longing for democracy and implementation of modern democracy in our country. We will say the same thing to Mr. Prosecutor as well."

Yarkadaş: Gezen took his medication before deposing

Former Republican People's Party (CHP) MP Barış Yarkadaş, who also went to the courthouse in solidarity with Gezen and Akpınar, shared the picture of Akpınar while he was eating a toast. Above the picture, Yarkadaş wrote,

"Two honorable artists of this country have been taken to courthouse by the police though the Prosecutor's Office did not issue 'a detention warrant' for them. And the 80-year-old artist is having his breakfast with a toast prepared in the courthouse. The deposition of Akpınar ended at 12.30 p.m., Müjdat Gezen will make his deposition now.

"Gezen took his medication before his deposition. He takes 11 medications a day... It is, unfortunately, the treatment given to artists pushing 80."

Müjdat Gezen also taken to courthouse to depose

It has also been reported that Müjdat Gezen was taken from his house in Kadıköy earlier today and brought to Anatolian Courthouse to depose.

Speaking to Odatv, Müjdat Gezen also stated,

"I am going to the Prosecutor. I will give my deposition. What I said is evident. I will also say it at the Prosecutor's Office. I will not give the right to judge my patriotism to anyone, including Recep Tayyip Erdoğan."

Making a statement on Twitter later in the day, Gezen's attorney Celal Ülgen stated that "they have been waiting in the Organized Crimes Bureau" and added that Metin Akpınar and Müjdat Gezen have been referred to the 3rd Penal Court of Peace with "the request for release on probation." (HA/SD)

* Photograph in the headline: Barış Yarkadaş

** Photograph in the article: Ali Cevahir Aktürk / Anadolu Agency