Journalist and economist Mustafa Sönmez will be tried for the fifth time for “insulting the President of the Republic” (TCK 299) due to his posts on his X account. Sönmez, who was acquitted from his fourth trial last February, will be tried on February 13, 2024 at Istanbul Anatolian 30th Criminal Court of First Instance for 4 years and 8 months in prison for criticizing the government. Announcing the case on his account, Sönmez said, “Let me write the dates of the tweets subject to the insult allegation so you can laugh; 2016, 2018, 2019. Years later, wow, you insulted me! What should I say?” (November 17).
Mustafa Sönmez was acquitted at the Istanbul Anatolian 30th Criminal Court of First Instance in the case where he was tried on the charge of “insulting the President” (February 13).