Lawsuit filed over 11-year-old social media post: Presidential lawyer claims it implies 'Treaty of Sèvres-like intentions'

The first hearing of the case against Suay Karaman, who 11 years ago shared an image featuring a photograph of Erdoğan with the caption, “He addressed the world from Indonesia: ‘Our only concern is Islam, Islam, Islam,’” and added the comment, “Our only concern is humanity, humanity, humanity. But those who do not steal, who live with honor, who do not sell out their country. Our other concern is the homeland, the homeland, the homeland. But one that is not sold to imperialists, where Treaty of Sèvres plans are not implemented, and where we live in friendship,” was held today at the Ankara 90th Criminal Court of First Instance.

In his defense, Karaman stated that his post contained no names, institutions, or titles, nor did it contain any elements that could be construed as an insult, saying, “I am an academic. I am not in a position to intentionally insult anyone. It does not suit my personality or my profession. I was merely expressing my worldview. It is impossible to understand how an insult was derived from this.”

“Are we a police state?”

Suay Karaman’s lawyer, Ömer Faruk Eminağaoğlu, asked, “Would this still be considered a crime if he had made this post after the words of an ordinary citizen rather than the President?” and continued as follows:

“No, it would not be considered an insult to anyone in any way. This post was made in 2015, and no action was taken. This means there is no crime committed and no perpetrator. So, what has changed now? With the state of emergency law that came into effect after July 15, the police were given the duty of virtual patrolling. Following this, the Police Department filed a criminal complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office. Is Turkey a state of law or a police state? Do prosecutors give orders to the police, or does the police give orders to the prosecutor? It is against the law for the police to collect such documents and take action on their own without an instruction or request. In any case, the Constitutional Court has already canceled this authority granted to the police. Therefore, this is unlawful evidence and cannot be used as a basis for judgment.”

Lawyer Eminağaoğlu, while requesting the acquittal of Suay Karaman, emphasized the following:

“The statements in question are entirely within the scope of freedom of expression. What is illegal about saying ‘Our only concern is humanity, our only concern is the homeland’? I wish everyone would say this. The 4th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation has even considered the use of expressions such as ‘FETÖ member, chief murderer, chief thief, thief’ regarding the President as freedom of expression. Here, the President’s official photo was used only to draw attention to the statement. The President’s priority is that, while my client’s priority is humanity and the homeland. Who is being insulted here? Therefore, there is no crime that has been committed.”

Is it for the financial gain of lawyers?

The presidential lawyer, who requested to join the case and demanded that Suay Karaman be punished by taking into account the provisions of publicity, argued that according to ECHR decisions, freedom of expression is not an absolute right, and spoke as follows:

“When the post is evaluated as a whole, using the President’s photograph, it implies meanings such as ‘thief, traitor, and one who makes plans for the Treaty of Sèvres.’”

Upon the judge accepting the presidential lawyer’s request to join the case, Suay Karaman’s lawyer, Ömer Faruk Eminağaoğlu, emphasized that the statements were not directed at the President and that he was not harmed by the crime.

The presidential lawyer replied, “It was shared with the official photo of our President himself.”

Lawyer Eminağaoğlu stated that these cases have turned into a means for lawyers to obtain financial income and requested that the request to join the case not be accepted.

After the statements were completed, the judge said, “Let us send the file to the prosecutor for an opinion,” without asking the prosecutor for their opinion, and adjourned the hearing to December 9.

Müyesser YILDIZ

September 18, 2026