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Journalist Ertuğrul Özkök Investigated for Insulting President Erdoğan
Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal investigation against veteran journalist Ertuğrul Özkök for alleged “insult to the President” after he said on a TV program that the current Turkish system is “designed around President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s personality” and compared it to the fall of Spain’s Franco dictatorship. Özkök’s remarks included: “This regime in Turkey is built on Erdoğan’s personality and there is no second person who can carry it forward.”
The prosecutor’s statement noted that the investigation was initiated “ex officio” based on Özkök’s comments during Bahar Feyzan’s broadcast. No arrest was ordered, but the case is being examined by the organized‑crime division.
AKP spokesperson Ömer Çelik publicly condemned Özkök’s statements, calling the comparison “mental and moral depravity” and defending President Erdoğan as a democratically elected leader. After the announcement, Özkök was reported to have left Istanbul Airport for abroad.
The probe remains ongoing, with no further legal actions disclosed as of the latest reports.
Entities
Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office · Ankara Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı · Bahar Feyzan · Ertuğrul Özkök · Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office · Istanbul Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı · President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan · Recep Tayyip Erdoğan · Saliha Sera Kadıgil · Sera Kadıgil · Turkish Parliament (TBMM) · Ömer Çelik
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Istanbul Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı opened an investigation into journalist Ertuğrul Özkök for alleged presidential insult after remarks made on a live broadcast.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The TBMM General Assembly must vote to lift Kadıgil's immunity before any trial can proceed. dokuzeylul.com · haber.doviz.com · www.sozcu.com.tr
- [● 6 SOURCES] Because Kadıgil has parliamentary immunity under Article 83 of the Constitution, a fezek will be prepared and sent to the TBMM for committee review. dokuzeylul.com · www.konhaber.com · haber.doviz.com · www.guvengazetesi.com.tr · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr
- [● 7 SOURCES] Kadıgil’s statements at a TİP rally in İzmir on 31 July 2026 led to the investigation. anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · dokuzeylul.com · haber.doviz.com · www.guvengazetesi.com.tr · www.konhaber.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] The investigations are based on Turkish Penal Code articles 299 (insult) and 310/2 (threat). anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · dokuzeylul.com · haber.doviz.com · www.manisahaberleri.com · www.pusulahaber.com.tr · +2 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ankara Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı opened a resen investigation into MP Sera Kadıgil for alleged insult and threat to the President. anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · dokuzeylul.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Özkök's remarks criticized President Tayyip Erdoğan and the political system.
- [● 8 SOURCES] Both investigations are being pursued under the legal framework for insulting the President. anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · dokuzeylul.com · www.kocatepegazetesi.com · haber.doviz.com · www.sozcu.com.tr · +1 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] Istanbul Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı opened a resen investigation into journalist Ertuğrul Özkök for alleged insult to President Erdoğan. www.manisahaberleri.com · www.pusulahaber.com.tr · www.tr724.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr · www.tgrthaber.com · +4 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] No arrest or detention order was reported for Ertuğrul Özkök in the investigation. www.manisahaberleri.com · www.pusulahaber.com.tr · www.tr724.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr · www.tgrthaber.com · +3 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Özkök compared President Erdoğan’s regime to the Franco dictatorship during a program hosted by Bahar Feyzan. www.manisahaberleri.com · www.pusulahaber.com.tr · www.tr724.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr · www.tgrthaber.com · +3 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Ankara Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı opened a resen investigation into MP Sera Kadıgil for alleged insult and threat to President Erdoğan. haber.doviz.com · www.konhaber.com · www.mersinhaber.com · dokuzeylul.com · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · +2 more