Actor İlyas Salman sentenced for 'publicly insulting the President'

At the final hearing held at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, the complainant, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was represented by his lawyer Melih Tüfenkci, while the defendant, İlyas Salman, who was tried without arrest, was represented by his lawyer Selen Sınmaz.

Given the floor during the hearing, President Erdoğan's lawyer, Tüfenkci, requested that the defendant be punished in accordance with the opinion on the merits presented at the previous session.

Defendant Salman's lawyer, Sınmaz, stated that they did not accept the opinion, saying, "It is clear that this crime could not have been committed given the age and identity of my client, and the political status of the complainant. The complainant has an obligation to endure political criticism. Therefore, we request the acquittal of my client."

Concluding the case, the court sentenced defendant Salman to 11 months and 20 days in prison for the crime of "publicly insulting the President."

Taking into account the defendant's attitude and behavior during the trial process, which did not reflect remorse, the court decided against deferring the announcement of the verdict.

The court subsequently converted the prison sentence given to the defendant into a judicial fine of 7,000 Turkish Lira.

It was also decided that the complainant's attorney fees and court costs would be paid by the defendant.

BACKGROUND OF THE CASE

A criminal complaint was filed with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office by President Erdoğan's lawyer regarding remarks made by İlyas Salman about President Erdoğan in an interview with a newspaper.

Processing the complaint, the prosecutor's office prepared an indictment against Salman, seeking a prison sentence ranging from 1 year and 2 months to 4 years and 8 months for the crime of 'publicly insulting the President'.

News Source: AA