Support from the Palace for Atatürk-hater Halil Konakcı!
Oktay Saral, Chief Advisor to AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has expressed support for Halil Konakcı, an Atatürk-hater against whom the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) has launched an investigation.
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Independent Member of Parliament Ümit Dikbayır had filed a criminal complaint with the prosecutor's office in January against imam Halil Konakcı, who has frequently made headlines for his anti-secular and anti-Republican rhetoric. Dikbayır took Konakcı to court on charges of "publicly inciting hatred and enmity" and "insulting our national values."
Following the criminal complaint, Dikbayır announced that the Presidency of Religious Affairs had launched an investigation into Halil Konakcı.
However, Chief Presidential Advisor Oktay Saral has come to the defense of Halil Konakcı, who has been at the center of criticism due to his remarks targeting the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
In a post on his social media account, Saral stated, "I congratulate Halil Konakcı, who bravely speaks the requirements of the religion without fear of someone being offended, hurt, or harboring resentment."
I congratulate Halil Konakcı, who bravely speaks the requirements of the religion without fear of someone being offended, hurt, or harboring resentment. pic.twitter.com/ZMGybVWQxV
— Oktay SARAL (@oktay_saral) February 12, 2025