Columnist acquitted in case over article on 'Emine Erdoğan's Hermes bag'

Photo: Evrensel

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Ender İmrek, a columnist for daily Evrensel, has been acquitted of "insult" in the case concerning an article about Emine Erdoğan, the spouse of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

İmrek criticized Erdoğan over her luxury bag in a June 2019 article titled, "The Hermes bag was shining."

An investigation was opened into the article in October 2019 and the columnist was charged with "insult by not attributing good qualities."

İmrek and his attorneys were present at the hearing at the Bakırköy 2nd Penal Court of First Instance in İstanbul while Erdoğan's attorneys did not attend the hearing, stating excuses.

In his statement of defense, İmrek noted that Erdoğan's Hermes bag was discussed again after the president's call boycotting France-based products.

Pointing out an article by pro-government columnist Hande Fırat in Hürriyet newspaper that claimed the bag was "counterfeit" and Emine Erdoğan doesn't like an extravagance, İmrek said, "This article shows that Ms. Emine Erdoğan and the Erdoğan family were under public pressure and felt the need to give an explanation of the bag issue."

He also recalled recent remarks by Minister of Justice Abdullah Gül, who called on judges to give decisions in accordance with the law rather than "some people."

"Insult by not praising"

"This case should have never been opened. There is no insult, a charge such as 'insult by not attributing good qualities' will go down into history," said İmrek.

Speaking after the columnist, his attorney Yıldız İmrek also said the indictment shouldn't have been accepted.

The prosecutors' efforts to charge İmrek with offenses "by interpretation" was not legally acceptable, she said.

"The prosecution cannot describe that my client has committed a crime," İmrek said, adding, "So, it is alleged that not praising [Erdoğan] is a crime. The indictment has two conclusions: First, Emine Erdoğan cannot be compared to anyone. Second, it is obligatory to praise Empire Erdoğan, not pricing her is a crime."

The case was opened under the pressure that "a complaint by a person who possesses political influence is an instruction," the attorney said and requested her client's acquittal.

Attorney Devrim Avcı also said that the indictment didn't describe which expressions in the article were "degrading" and charged İmrek with an offense "by guessing intentions and interpretation".

The prosecutor's office demanded the court to accept its opinion as to the accusations stated in the previous hearing.

The court acquitted İmrek, concluding that the elements of the crime did not occur. (HA/VK)