Media authority probes broadcaster over CHP MP’s remarks about Erdoğan

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The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has launched a probe against KRT TV over the remarks of main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) İstanbul MP and Group Deputy Chair Engin Altay.

Attending a program on KRT TV channel, CHP's Engin Altay referred to President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and said, "I hope that Erdoğan 'will not end up' like Menderes... We will send him off at the ballot box."

Releasing a statement on Twitter within this context, the RTÜK has announced that it is now probing the related broadcast over the remarks of Altay. According to the statement of the media authority, the probe is carried out as per the related provisions of the Law no. 6112 on the Establishment of Radio and Television Enterprises and their Media Services.

After a military coup on May 27, 1960, the then Prime Minister Adnan Menderes was imprisoned together with several other senior state officials. In the ensuing trial, he was sentenced to capital punishment. He was put to death on September 17, 1961 together with Fatin Rüştü Zorlu and Hasan Polatkan, the then Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance.

He is accused of being pro-coup

During the related program aired on KRT TV, Engin Altay addressed the moderator and said, "I don't want to sound like making an analogy. Please ask me, 'What is the biggest mistake in the history of the Republic?' and let me answer this question in the following manner."

Then, Altay gave the following answer to his question:

"[The mistake] is to execute Menderes. It is the biggest mistake. It is the heaviest blow dealt to the Turkish democracy. But late Menderes also indulged the religious groups so much, he made concessions.

"And they went too far with the power and indulgence of Menderes... What did Menderes have to do then? He had to introduce the Law on Protection of [Mustafa Kemal] Atatürk. I hope that Erdoğan 'will not end up' like Menderes... We will send him off at the ballot box."

In response to this, journalist İsmail Saymaz intervened and said, "If you would elaborate further on this to prevent any misunderstandings about your sentence of 'not ending up like him'."

Altay said, "Of course, the capital punishment of Menderes and his friends was the biggest mistake made to Turkey. It is the biggest insult and mistake that can ever be made against the Republic and democracy. If Erdoğan indulges them too, he will have to introduce a new law, that is what I am saying. Of course, may none of us end up like him. How could it be?"

After Altay made this statement, pro-government media outlets broadcast an abridged version of the video and several government officials, including Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) officials have accused Altay of being "pro-coup." (HA/SD)