Broadcaster probed over guest’s remarks about religious high schools

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Haber Global TV news channel is now probed over the remarks of a guest, academic Erol Mütercimler from the İstanbul Haliç University.

Following his remarks regarding the Islamic religious high schools (imam hatips), the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has opened an investigation against the broadcaster Haber Global.

In a brief message shared on its social media account, RTÜK has announced that "an investigation has been launched due to Erol Mütercimler's libelous remarks targeting the imam hatip community on a television channel."

What happened?

After writer Müfid Yüksel said, "Saint Joseph, Saint Michel, Saint Benoit... Who founded these schools? They are Jesuit priests' schools," Mütercimler responded, "But look at the result. Look at how we see the ones who graduated from imam hatips... Scammers, perverts, immorals..."

Speaking to the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) about this issue, ÖNDER İmam Hatip Alumni Association Chair Kamber Çal has announced that they will file a criminal complaint against Erol Mütercimler in all 81 provinces of Turkey. He has also indicated that they encourage all imam hatip alumni associations to file a lawsuit against the academic.

Indicating that "the graduates of imam hatips are schools who raise precious people who make very important contributions to the development of Turkey," Çal has called on Mütercimler to apologize. (EKN/SD)