'Century of Turkey' remarks had sparked debate: Teacher Emine detained at her home

Emine Karakaş, who works as a Turkish Language and Literature teacher at a private school in Antalya, was detained due to her 100th-anniversary speech.

According to a report by İsmail Akın from Sözcü, Emine Karakaş was detained at her home by teams from the Antalya Police Department's Security Branch around 22:00 and taken to the police station. It was learned that the teacher, who was waiting at the station accompanied by her lawyers, would give a statement to the duty prosecutor.

"FOR US, IT IS BEING TURNED INTO AN ASYLUM..."

In her speech, Karakaş had said the following:

“While those who are ready to give their lives for it are by its side, those who refrain from even mentioning its name are trying to destroy the Republic while benefiting from all its blessings. On one side are those who sacrificed their lives a century ago to have the Republic written into the constitution; on the other are those who are trying to make everyone believe in the 'Century of Turkey' fairy tale while trying to destroy it today.

So, where are you while all this is happening? Did you realize the value of your republic, founded 100 years ago, the value of the word freedom? Did you truly grasp the meaning of the word freedom? Did you thank the Creator every day that you are not a servant to anyone? While your vast country is being turned into a mint for Arabs, a shopping mall for Bulgarians, a maternity ward for Syrians, and an asylum for us, where are you?

While the 'Republic of Turkey' signs are being removed, while a group that cannot recite its national anthem without looking at a paper, or does not deign to stand up while the national anthem is being played, labels young female athletes and talks about patriotism, where are you?

While all the factories that were the apple of the Republic's eye are being sold to foreigners one by one, while Turkish citizenship is being handed out like candy to anyone with money, while foreigners enjoy privileges in your country and those with money dictate everything, while civil servants, doctors, workers, and teachers are treated as second-class citizens in their own country, and most importantly, while the youth you call your future are desperately looking for ways to leave the country, where are you?”

DETENTION ON CHARGES OF INCITING THE PUBLIC TO HATRED AND HOSTILITY

The Antalya Police Department issued a statement regarding teacher Emine Karakaş. The statement said:

“Following the footage recorded during a speech made as part of the 100th-anniversary celebrations at TED (Turkish Education Association) Antalya College, which appeared in some press/media outlets and social media accounts, the following statement has been deemed necessary.

Following the sharing of footage on social media accounts of a speech made by a woman during the 'Republic Celebrations' at TED (Turkish Education Association) Antalya College, operating within the borders of our province's Muratpaşa district on 29.10.2023, and based on the content of the speech; regarding the views expressed such as 'the person making the speech is a teacher, she targeted the Century of Turkey in her speech, politics were conducted in an educational institution, and an exclusionary attitude was displayed by damaging unity and solidarity, etc.'; upon the instruction of the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, efforts were made by the teams of the Antalya Police Department's Security Branch to identify the individual. In the investigations conducted, the suspect, identified as (E.K.), was apprehended on 30.10.2023, and judicial proceedings are being carried out against the individual for the crime of 'inciting the public to hatred and hostility or insulting' within the scope of Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code No. 5237. Respectfully announced to the public.”