Erdoğan appeals against acquittal of actors Akpınar and Gezen

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The court has handed down its detailed ruling in the case where Müjdat Gezen and Metin Akpınar were acquitted of "insulting the President".

The two actors were previously put on trial for saying, "Know your place" during Uğur Dündar's program on pro-opposition Halk TV.

Shortly after the court pronounced its detailed ruling of acquittal, the attorneys of ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have appealed against it.

In its detailed ruling, the İstanbul Anadolu 8th Penal Court of First Instance has concluded that a person's honor, dignity and reputation could not be damaged by Gezen's remarks, "He either reprimands everyone or points his finger at everyone or tells everyone, 'Know your place'. Look, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, you cannot test our patriotism, know your place."

The court has concluded that there was no concrete allegation against the President, the defendant's remarks did not involve the act of cursing and the material element of the crime was not constituted.

'There is no crime'

The local court has also given a judgement about the following remarks of Metin Akpınar: "I think the only way that we can do away with this program is democracy. If we can reach there, there will be no fighting. We will get out of this. If we cannot reach it, they will perhaps hang the leader by the foot, as in response to every fascism, he will perhaps be poisoned to death in a cellar, he might perhaps experience the problems faced by other leaders. But it will be unfortunate for us. We will be ruined."

The court has seen no crime element in these remarks.

After the detailed ruling was pronounced, Erdoğan's attorneys have lodged an appeal against the ruling. In their petition, they have argued that Gezen and Akpınar have animosity towards President Erdoğan and demanded that the two be penalized in the light of the indictment.

Celal Ülgen, the attorney of Gezen and Akpınar, have also written a petition in response to the appeal. Noting that the ruling handed down by the local court is in compliance with the law, he has said that freedom of expression is also valid for the opinions that are offending and concerning. (HA/SD)