25 February 2025
The Istanbul 49th Criminal Court of First Instance acquitted journalist Levent Gültekin, who was tried on charges of “insulting the President” (Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code).
The case was launched following a complaint submitted to the Presidential Communication Center (CİMER) regarding Gültekin’s remarks on a Halk TV program aired on 10 September 2021. In the complaint, it was alleged that Gültekin said that religious officials could “discipline” President and AKP Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
In his defense, Gültekin stated that his remarks were merely a philosophical interpretation and did not carry any intent of insult. His lawyer, Yağmur Yaşar, emphasized that the statements should be evaluated in their entirety, noting that one selected sentence could not change the meaning of the whole speech.
The court accepted the prosecutor’s opinion in favor of acquittal and ruled that Gültekin acted within his journalistic role and his right to criticism, and that there was no intent to insult.