Journalist Kanbal acquitted of ‘insulting’ Interior Minister Soylu

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The court has handed down its ruling in the lawsuit filed against Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reporter Ahmet Kanbal, who was charged with "insulting a public official" for commenting on Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu's resignation on his social media account.

After Sülyman Soylu resigned from office, journalist Ahmet Kanbal wrote, "When a ship is bound to sink, it is always the mice that leave it first... It is a universal saying... When the mice leave, the ship goes down..."

The final hearing of the case filed over these remarks was held at the Mardin 1st High Criminal Court today (March 10). While Kanbal and his lawyer attended the hearing, Human Rights Association (İHD) Mardin Branch Co-Chair and lawyer Fevzi Adsız also followed the hearing.

No one attended the hearing in representation of Süleyman Soylu. Starting the hearing, the court board recalled that a ruling of acquittal had been given as the charged offense was subject to the simple procedure method, but a retrial ensued as the lawyers of Süleyman Soylu appealed against the acquittal of Kanbal and the upper court accepted this appeal.

'There is no insult'

In his defense before the court, journalist Ahmet Kanbal said, "The saying I posted is a universal saying. Neither the picture nor the name of the person who is the Interior Minister is mentioned there; there is also no link to a news report regarding his resignation. This conclusion was drawn solely on the grounds that I posted this message on the day of his resignation."

Kanbal noted that even if he had uttered the saying with regards to Soylu's resignation, it would still not be an insult.

Kanbal said, "I am a person doing journalism in Mardin. The public knows that there is an unease with my journalistic activities in the region. The ones who try to hinder my profession of journalism on the street turn to such methods because they fail to do so."

He added that the investigation was launched "after the police officers from the Security Directorate had reported him to the prosecutor's office due to his journalistic activities in an arbitrary manner and by targeting him." Ahmet Kanbal requested his acquittal.

Court has ruled for acquittal

Pronouncing the opinion as to the accusations following the defense statements of journalist Ahmet Kanbal and his lawyer Erdal Kuzu, the prosecutor's office stated that there was no evidence suggesting that the word "mouse" was written in direct reference to Süleyman Soylu and demanded that the journalist be acquitted of the offense charged.

Following the defenses as to the accusations, the court board has handed down its ruling and acquitted Ahmet Kanbal.

(HA/SD)