President Erdogan : Turkey freedom of speech limits

The capture of the Turkish-born German citizen, Adnan S. due to alleged enemy of the state-of-Facebook-posts shows the increasing suppression of freedom of expression in Turkey. According to official figures the authorities, on average, every day, about 50 Suspects that stand out to you with comments in social media. More than 18,000 procedures came together in the last year. Many Turks, therefore, say that in Public, dear, nothing more.

p. is suspected to have via Facebook for a terrorist organization advertised. About a half-dozen German citizens, due to political accusations in Turkey in custody. Berlin speaks of the arbitrariness of the Turkish authorities, but the government in Ankara rejects this. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed only a few days ago, Turkey was one of the few countries where the democracy "would be implemented in its full meaning". His government argues, terrorist Propaganda will be punished in Western countries.

However, the government will draw loyal judges and prosecutors, the limits of freedom of expression much more closely than their counterparts in Europe or the USA. Criticism of Erdogan or other members of the Turkish leadership is often pursued as a President, insult or sedition. One of the year, the statistics provided by the Ministry of the interior, 2018, were launched against 18376 Concerned to take legal steps, because you are supposed to have spread via the Internet, severe insults of public officials or rebellious and violent Statements.

justice is in Erdogan's orders

The protection of the state and its representatives prior to the alleged attacks weighs in for justice far more than the also in Turkey, constitutionally guaranteed right to free speech. Almost every day there are new examples of this. So will be held accountable to a prominent Banker, currently before the justice, because he had spread five years ago, an Erdogan-critical Video on Twitter.

Sometimes, the judiciary is active, when Erdogan asks you to do so. Recently, two prominent actors, were temporarily arrested, after the state had complained to the President about your comments in the opposition television station Halk TV. Also against the well-known TV presenter Fatih Portakal is determined, because he noticed Erdogan uncomfortable. Portakal had asked the question, whether in Turkey, peaceful protest demonstrations were possible. Halk TV and Portakals channel Fox received penalties from the media authority Rtük. The journalists ' Association TGC branded this as an attack on the freedom of the press.

Also in the Parliament in Ankara, the justice has identified alleged enemies of the state. Nine deputies are to lose according to prosecutors, their immunity because they had spread on Twitter a Erdogan-cartoon. One of the victims, Ali Mahir Basarir said, in Turkey, an "Empire of fear should be built".

Turkey, Ankara's fear of the Yellow vests

Apparently, many Turks like Basarir think. A hundred, a thousand times clicked on the Video, the power in social media, Turkey, the round, shows the vain Attempts of a TV reporter to ask passers-by their opinion of the municipal elections in March. In one scene, a man passes by in silence the microphone of the journalist, stretches his arms and places the hands and wrists on top of each other, as if he were handcuffed.