RTÜK launches investigation into remarks about al-Shara

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has launched an investigation into remarks made about Ahmed Hussein al-Shara, the leader of the HTS administration in Syria, during the "Haber Saati" program broadcast on Sözcü TV.

The program's host, journalist Serap Belovacıklı, stated on air regarding al-Shara: "This is not a nation where everyone will applaud a murderer just because you put a tie on an al-Nusra member and make him president," and added, "You cannot make people respect two terrorists just by putting ties on them."

In a statement issued by RTÜK, it was argued that the broadcast in question contained "baseless accusations against the legitimate President of our neighbor, Syria." The statement claimed that these remarks were of a nature that could "harm good neighborly relations."

The Council shared the view that the words used in the broadcast were "incompatible with the Republic of Turkey's foreign policy vision, fundamental principles, and diplomatic doctrine."