On the grounds of his tweets criticizing the government’s foreign exchange policies, journalist Mustafa Sönmez faced a lawsuit on charge of “insulting the President of the Republic” (as per the Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code / TCK). The first hearing will be held at the İstanbul Anadolu 38th Criminal Court of First Instance on February 2, 2023 (December 10).
At the hearing held on February 2, 2023, the court accepted the excuse offered by President Erdoğan’s lawyer and adjourned the hearing. The next hearing will be held on February 7 (February 2).
At the hearing held on February 7, 2023, the court concluded that Sönmez’s post was within the scope of freedom of expression and ruled that he should be acquitted (February 7).