The Istanbul Anatolian 60th Criminal Court of First Instance acquitted journalist Faruk Arhan of the charge of allegedly “insulting the President of Republic” in June 2018. He has been standing trial on the grounds that has he reacted against the violations of human rights in the southeastern part of Turkey. He has been tried for 4 years and 8 months of imprisonment.
Upon the appeal to the decision, İstanbul Regional Court of Justice 3rd Penal Chamber reversed the decision of acquittal and sentenced Arhan to 1 year and 2 months and 17 days in prison for “insulting the President” over a tweet where he used the word “belly dancer” (dansöz). The pronouncement of the verdict is deferred.
