Yeni Akit Newspaper published the news titled “CHP is an enemy of mosques” on the first page of November 27, 2011 issue and the column article “Didn’t I tell you, Kılıçdaroğlu is a project” on the same day. CHP and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu filed a complaint against the newspaper for allegedly provoking the public to hatred and hostility as well as alleged insult. Further they filed a lawsuit requesting compensation for non-pecuniary damages.
On 14.03.2012, the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office decided on non-prosecution, noting that statements were within the scope of criticism. On 14.03.2012, the Ankara 19 Civil Court of First Instance rejected the case referring to the prosecution’s decision. The decision was upheld by the 4th Civil Chamber of the Court of Appeal, on 15.05.2014. Thereupon, CHP and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu applied to The Constitutional Court, on 24.07.2014.
TCC found that the application is manifestly ill-founded, noting that statements contain expressions of the values based on sufficient factual grounds and that they are strongly related to public interest.