Investigation had been launched: Can Ataklı apologizes to families of martyrs

Can Ataklı, against whom the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation on charges of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility or insulting them due to his remarks regarding the families of martyrs and fathers of martyrs," made a statement on his X account. 

Stating that only a 9-second clip of his 22-minute speech was circulated, Ataklı apologized to the families of the martyrs.

Ataklı noted the following:

"I started my profession exactly 47 years ago. Along with very good days, there were, of course, periods when I experienced great difficulties. Because of what I wrote and said, I have encountered harsh criticism and even lynching campaigns from time to time. However, none were as great as the lynching campaign launched after my YouTube speech yesterday.

Only a 9-second portion of my 22-minute speech was circulated by palace trolls and pro-government media, and all hell broke loose. Those who know what I have done, what I have written, and what I have said throughout my many years in the profession naturally laughed this off, but the campaign became so massive that even those who love me very much were gripped by fear.

I am someone who has known and followed the PKK terror since the day it began. Those who know me know how my heart burns every time news of a martyr arrives; this cannot be explained, it is reflected in the attitude and behavior of a person whose heart is burning. However, we live in such an environment today that rampant chauvinism can suddenly take the whole country hostage, and all segments of society can be affected by the created perception. In my speech yesterday, a sentence I said while criticizing those who want to exploit martyrs' funerals and turn them into hatred and malice may have hurt many relatives of martyrs who did not watch the entire speech, or even that specific part in its entirety. For this reason, I first and foremost apologize to all of them.

I also want to say that I did nothing wrong in this regard and that I have been targeted by the perception operation that the government has established."

I started my profession exactly 47 years ago
Along with very good days, there were, of course, periods when I experienced great difficulties
Because of what I wrote and said, I have encountered harsh criticism and even lynching campaigns from time to time
However, none were as great as the one after my YouTube speech yesterday...

— Can Ataklı (@can_atakli_) December 26, 2023

News Source: 12punto