Graphic designer detained over anti-Erdoğan sticker campaign

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A graphic designer was detained in İzmir, western Turkey, because of an anti-government campaign he initiated ahead of the elections.

Mahir Akkoyun tweeted early in the morning that he was being detained and taken to the Konak Security Branch.

He was investigated for "insulting the president" and "disrupting the electoral order," his attorney later revealed.

Akkoyun was released at around 5.30 p.m.

Akkoyun designed stickers criticizing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his ally Devlet Bahçeli over high costs of living and called on the people to put them on products.

The campaign quickly went viral on social media, with people sharing photos of stickers from grocery and clothing stores.

One sticker mostly stuck on products reads, "Is this product too expensive for you? Thanks to Erdoğan... Keep this in mind when you vote."

Another sticker with Erdoğan and Bahçeli's photos reads, "This product is expensive because of us. Keep this in mind when you vote.

Şöyle stickerlar tasarladım.

İnsanların enflasyonla ve hayat pahalılığıyla en çok yüzleştikleri yerler olan marketlerde, manavlarda, pazarlarda ve alışveriş merkezlerinde yer alan ürünlere ve ürün rafları gibi yerlere yapıştırılsın diye. pic.twitter.com/YpWtjYAMDT

— mahirgra (@mahirgra) April 5, 2023

(HA/VK)