An investigation has been launched against Ender İmrek, a columnist for daily Evrensel due to the article entitled “Parıl parıl parlıyordu Hermes çanta… (Shining brightly, Hermes bag …)” dated 29 June 2019. The article was about the Hermes bag of President of Tayyip Erdogan’s wife Emine Erdogan and trial of Republican People’s Party (CHP) İstanbul Provincial Chairperson Canan Kaftancıoğlu (7 October).

İmrek’s trial in which he is being tried for “insulting the President of the Republic” will begin at the 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance in Bakırköy on April 29 (18 February).

The hearing scheduled to be held on April 29, was postponed to June 20 by the 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance in Bakırköy due to measures taken in relation to coronavirus pandemic (29 Nisan).

At the hearing held on June 24, court decided to accept Emine Eroğan’s request to be a party of the trial and exempted İmrek from attending trials. Next hearing would be held on October 8.

At the hearing held on October 8, 2020, the prosecutor demanded that İmrek be penalized on the offense charged. The court gave time for the preparation of defense as to the accusations. The next hearing will be held on December 2, 2020 (October 8). 

At the final hearing held on December 2, 2020, the prosecutor’s office demanded that the occupational excuse presented by Erdoğan family’s attorneys and the opinion as to the accusations presented in the previous hearing be both accepted. Pronouncing the judgement, the Presiding Judge indicated that a criminal case was brought against Ender İmrek on charge of “insult”, but the elements of the offense charged had not been constituted. The court has ruled that Ender İmrek shall be acquitted (December 2).

The prosecutor of the Bakırköy 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance appealed against the acquittal of Ender İmrek. The file was taken to the İstanbul Regional Court of Justice (court of appeals) without being finalized (January 11).