Five students who were charged with “insulting the President” for the banner they unfurled at Marmara University against femicides were acquitted. Istanbul Anatolian 24th Criminal Court of First Instance ruled that the cartoon on the banner was within the scope of freedom of expression. The prosecution also demanded the acquittal of the defendants. Arif Anıl Öztürk, the lawyer of the students, stated that since the president is also the party leader, TCK 299 is now legally invalid and called for the removal of this article from the Turkish Penal Code.
May 29, 2025
Cumhuriyet