Mufti Threatens News Website odaTV, Reminds Charlie Hebdo

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Mufti* of the Siirt province Ahmet Altıok has threatened the news website odaTV, reminding the Charlie Hebdo massacre.

In an interview he has given to the İlke News Agency (İLKHA), which is known to be close to the Hizbullah**, the Mufti has said,

"Be it the Charlie Hebdo case, or the likes of Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf in our prophet's time, those who ridicule Muslims, acting upon some campaigns, perception operations, never got away with what they did.

"I believe that they will be once again convicted in the eyes and hearts of society. I call these gentlemen to apologize. Because you know, repentance before death is accepted."

Editor-in-Chief: This is a call for a massacre

The reason of the threat was an article on the website entitled "This is how jihad is being taught in schools." The article was written by Nazif Ay, who is also a religion class teacher.

Editor-in-Chief of the odaTV Barış Pehlivan, has told bianet that the article was "just an excuse":

"We more or less know about the Hizbullah people. We know how they are related to counter guerilla structures within the state as well. I think this is an excuse, there is a systematic process.

"We are a news website which draws attention to the new sects whose members are being staffed in state institutions after FETÖ (Fethullahist Terrorist Organization, which is held responsible for July 15 coup attempt). We remind that illegal structures are again being formed within the state.

"Maybe the Hizbullah people doing their jobs but how does the Mufti of the state remind Charlie Hebdo Massacre and targets odaTV?

"The situation includes both terrorist propaganda and call for massacre. How do the Ministry of Interior, Mİnistry of Justice, Directorate of Religious Affairs stay silent?"

'We are openly being threatened with death"

odaTV columnist Nazif Ay also addressed the issue on his Twitter account, saying that "We are openly being threatened with death. odaTV and the independent media are facing death threats." (EKN/VK)

* A mufti is a religious civil official who interprets and expounds Islamic law.

** Hizbullah group is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey. It has no relation to Lebanese Hezbollah.