SEVDA AYDIN
Dilruba Kayserilioğlu received an 11-month, 20-day prison sentence for allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a street interview in İzmir. The ruling was issued yesterday by the İzmir 62nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
Court proceedings
In her defense, Kayserilioğlu stated that her comments were critiques of the government, not personal insults. She emphasized her concerns about Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, laws affecting animal rights, and social media restrictions. "I am free to express these views. There was no insult in my words; I criticized the one-man regime. I request my acquittal," she told the court.
President Erdoğan’s lawyer, Ağakan Yüksel, argued that the statements crossed the limits of free speech. "Yes, freedom of expression is important, but damaging a person’s dignity is a crime," he said, specifically highlighting the phrase, “He runs the country like his father’s farm,” as defamatory.
Defense arguments
Kayserilioğlu’s lawyer, Hüseyin Yıldız, countered that criticizing the presidential system and government policies does not constitute an insult. He referenced European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings, stating that phrases like "his father’s farm" do not legally qualify as defamation. He also noted that the same video had already been used in a previous trial.
Kayserilioğlu, who had already spent 18 days in prison related to the case, highlighted her experience of being targeted by pro-government media and social media trolls. "Dignity is not only the president’s right but ours as well," she said, reiterating her call for acquittal.
Next steps
Following the verdict, Yıldız announced plans to continue the legal fight, signaling an appeal. The case has drawn attention as part of broader concerns about freedom of expression in Turkey, where numerous individuals face legal action over criticisms of the government.
