An investigation was launched against Fındıklı Mayor Ercüment Şahin Çervatoğlu for “insulting the state” due to his social media post in reaction to the arrest of journalist Fatih Altaylı.
In his post, Çervatoğlu wrote, “We are facing a dictatorship that declares war on everyone who is not one of its own, that does not tolerate any different voice and word… We will surely overcome this darkness”. Following these remarks, Rize Pazar Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation against him.
Çervatoğlu gave a statement to the prosecutor’s office with his lawyer and said, “We have been summoned for the crime of insulting the state. This state belongs to all of us. We will continue to struggle. My statements are within the scope of freedom of expression.”
In Çervatoğlu’s statement, it was emphasized that the term “dictatorship” is a criticism of the system rather than a personal insult and can be considered as political discourse according to the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.
July 9, 2025
Sendika.org