AKP MP Calls HDP Voters ‘Scumbags’, Sues Voter For Calling Back ‘No, You are Scumbag’

Tweet reads: The scumbags who voted for HDP carry the sin for our martyrs. God damn them.

Click to read the article in Turkish

Aydın Öztürk, a 38 year-old sociologist living in Bodrum district of Turkey's western province of Muğla stands trial on defamation charge before Bodrum Criminal Court of First Instance due to a post on his Facebook account.

Responding to Justice and Development Party (AKP) İzmir MP Hüseyin Kocabıyık's remarks about the voters of People's Democratic Party (HDP) calling them "scumbags", sociologist Öztürk had called Kocabıyık "No, you are the scumbag".

Talking to bianet on the issue, Öztürk's attorney Engin Gökoğu said:

"Those who take no action against the ones swearing at the 6 million people who voted for HDP, mobilize immediately against the opponents. We do not accede to this unlawfulness".

Speaking at the second hearing of the trial held today (April 18), Öztürk said:

"I deny this accusation. As a response to the swear which said 'those who voted for this party are scumbags' referring to the political party for which I and many of my relatives have voted, I in return used this expression.

"I regret having made this ugly remark. But I demand that the fact, that he also owes an apology, is acknowledged". (AS/DG)