Model Merve Büyüksaraç Convicted of Defaming President

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The decision of the court concerning Model Merve Büyüksaraç brought to trial on charges of defaming President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in her postings on Twitter.

İstanbul 29th Criminal Court of First Instance has sentenced Model Büyüksaraç to 1 year 2 months and 17 days in prison for “Openly insulting a public official on account of the official’s duty”.

According to BIA MEDIA MONITORING REPORT 2016 JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH, action was taken against 86 persons including 53 journalists on charges of defaming the President Article 229 of the Turkish Penal Code and insult (Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code).

Erdoğan’s attorney: Attack on personal rights

Büyüksaraç’s attorney Ali Deniz Ceylan has noted “Due to the fact that the plaintiff is a state authority, the limits of criticism should not be interpreted restrictively. We are of the opinion, that the expressions shared by my client should be regarded as political and [...] therefore demand acquittal of my client”.

President Erdoğan’s attorney Hatice Özay on the other hand has noted that the postings which were subject of the crime, could not be evaluated within the scope of criticism and added;

“This is an attack against the personal rights of my client. We want the suspect to be punished”.

“That means, they are even afraid of me”

Büyüksaraç as to her sentence has expressed;

“I am not afraid. I have not stolen anything, I have not killed anyone, I have not committed any corruption. That’s why there is nothing I should be afraid of when I stand before the judge. But I say; ‘This means, they are even afraid of me’.  Suing so many people has never been seen before in the history of Turkey. Which leader has judged his citizens so much”. (BK/DG)