A lawsuit was filed against Cevdet Akgün, the managing editor of local daily newspaper “Halkın Sesi” by former AKP (Justice and Development Party) Ereğli District Chairs-person who is also a lawyer of Bank Asya, for allegations on insult due to an article entitled “Pennsylvania Judge” published on 15 May 2017. The article claimed that the person in question had became a judge without entering any exam required in the procedure. Although the request for retraction was published Cevdet Akgün was found guilty of insult and was sentenced to 5 months of imprisonment, on 13 March 2018. The execution of the sentence was not deferred due to prior convictions of Akgün.
The ruling was upheld by Regional Court of Appeals and Akgün was arrested on 9 January 2020 for the execution of the sentence. Upon the request applied by Akgün’s lawyer, the Execution Prosecutor decided to release Akgün on probation. Akgün is obliged to visit a police station once a week.