Indictment for journalist Furkan Karabay prepared after 114 days
In the indictment prepared 114 days after the arrest of journalist Furkan Karabay, who was detained over his YouTube videos and social media posts, prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence ranging from 6 to 15 years on charges of "insulting the President" and "targeting individuals involved in the fight against terrorism."
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An indictment has been prepared 114 days after the arrest of journalist Furkan Karabay, who was detained on charges of "insulting the President" and "targeting individuals involved in the fight against terrorism" due to his YouTube videos and social media posts. Karabay is among those for whom punishment is sought for these alleged crimes in the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
The indictment, prepared by the Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, requests that Furkan Karabay be punished for the crimes of "publicly insulting the President, repeatedly targeting individuals involved in the fight against terrorism, and insulting a public official due to their duty." The prosecution is seeking a prison sentence of approximately 6 to 15 years for the journalist regarding these charges.
IMPORTANT NAMES AMONG THE VICTIMS
According to journalist İsmail Arı, the indictment lists AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek, Deputy Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Can Tuncay, Public Prosecutor Ahmet Şahin, and Judge Hatice Kozan as "victims" in relation to the posts that form the basis of the charges against Karabay. These individuals are identified as those who initiated legal action regarding Karabay's statements, which are alleged to constitute a crime.
ARREST AND RELEASE PROCESS
Furkan Karabay was arrested on November 9, 2024, and was released just 9 days later, on November 18. Karabay has previously faced detention and trials due to statements made in his social media posts and videos.
WHY WAS HE ARRESTED?
Karabay was detained on May 15 as part of a new investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. On the same day, he was arrested on charges of "targeting individuals involved in the fight against terrorism" and "insulting the President." The journalist had previously been sentenced to 2 years and 1 month in prison in a case tried following complaints made regarding AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his family.