An investigation has been launched against İbrahim Varlı, the Publishing Coordinator of BirGün newspaper, on the grounds of his tweet where he wrote, “Islamists are cruel, Islamists are tyrants, there is no evil that Islamists would not do…” on September 25, 2022. Varlı is charged with “inciting the public to enmity and hatred” as per the Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).
Varlı deposed at the Security Directorate as part of the investigation launched on August 25, 2022 upon a complaint submitted to the Presidential Communication Center (CİMER). Varlı dismissed the offenses charged, said that his tweet did not contain any accusing, humiliating or antagonizing remarks and noted that “political Islamism” was meant in his tweet (August 25).