Soylu said ‘He cursed my mother, but released’, suspect arrested for ‘insulting President’

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA) - Archive

Click to read the article in Turkish

Using strong language in commenting under a picture of Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu and his mother on social media and previously released from detention on probation by the judgeship, the suspect has been arrested on charge of "insulting the President."

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), the person was taken into custody for writing an insulting comment under a tweet of Minister Soylu, referred to the penal judgeship of peace on duty on charge of "insulting a public official" and released by the judgeship on probation. This person is now arrested for "insulting President" and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Referred to the Bakırköy Penal Judgeship of Peace on Duty after giving his statement at the prosecutor's office, the suspect has been arrested.

It caused an argument between ministers

On January 20, Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu tweeted a picture with his mother, attaching the note, "My mom has been in hospital for 45 days. The rascal who cursed under my picture with my mother stood before the court; he is now released on probation. What should I do? What change does it make that I am a minister? What does it mean not claiming the honor of one's mother while being occupied with the state affairs? If he will be taken again with my tweet, I will consider it provocation."

A day later, Minister of Justice Abdulhamit Gül delivered a speech at the "Appeals Courts Evaluation Meeting in their 5th Year.

He criticized social media campaigns for alleged criminals, saying that "No one can wag their finger at the judiciary."

Turkey is a "state of law," according to the justice minister, but "social media courts" are set up in some situations and this is increasingly turning into "postmodern social engineering," according to Gül.

"I call out to those who order me to arrest and release people every day on social media: The Republic of Turkey is a state of law. Laws, rules, proceedings work here," he said on January 21, 2021.

"Those who aren't pleased with this procedure can exercise their right to appeal but no one can wag their fingers at the judiciary," Gül further remarked. "No one can expect the minister of justice to interfere with this procedure. The minister of justice doesn't have a judge's or a prosecutor's robe. I have never worn that robe during my duty."

The minister also said that Turkey is a "state of law" and those who hold executive positions should respect legal proceedings.

It was then alleged that Minister Gül uttered these remarks in response to what Minister Soylu had said a day before. (EKN/SD)