# Turkey expands probes into alleged insults to Erdoğan

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-probes-alleged-insults-and-false-statements
> Updated: 2026-08-02T18:11:05.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026, Turkey’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) opened an inquiry into a Sözcü TV programme that aired alleged false accusations against Syria’s president, warning that the broadcast could harm bilateral relations and breach Turkey’s foreign‑policy principles. In early August, prosecutors began criminal investigations over alleged insults to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office cited Penal Code articles 299 (insult) and 310/2 (threat) in a case against Istanbul MP Sera Kadıgil; because she enjoys parliamentary immunity, the matter must be referred to the Justice Ministry and then to the Grand National Assembly for a possible lift of immunity before any trial.

On 2 August 2026, Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor formally opened a criminal investigation into veteran journalist Ertuğrul Özkök ex officio, citing article 299 for his remarks that the Turkish system is “designed around President Erdoğan’s personality” and likening it to the fall of Spain’s Franco dictatorship. The probe was assigned to the organized‑crime division; no arrest was ordered. After the announcement Özkök left Istanbul Airport for abroad. AKP spokesperson Ömer Çelik condemned the comments, calling the comparison “mental and moral depravity” and defending Erdoğan’s democratic legitimacy. Simultaneously, Ankara’s chief prosecutor launched a parallel investigation into MP Kadıgil for remarks made at a İzmir rally, also under articles 299 and 310/2, with a fezek to be sent to the TBMM for committee review.

## Claims

- Istanbul Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı opened a resen investigation into journalist Ertuğrul Özkök for alleged insult to President Erdoğan. (corroborated by 14 sources)
- Özkök compared President Erdoğan’s regime to the Franco dictatorship during a program hosted by Bahar Feyzan. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- No arrest or detention order was reported for Ertuğrul Özkök in the investigation. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- The investigations are based on Turkish Penal Code articles 299 (insult) and 310/2 (threat). (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Ankara Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı opened a resen investigation into MP Sera Kadıgil for alleged insult and threat to President Erdoğan. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Both investigations are being pursued under the legal framework for insulting the President. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Kadıgil’s statements at a TİP rally in İzmir on 31 July 2026 led to the investigation. (corroborated by 7 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. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The TBMM General Assembly must vote to lift Kadıgil's immunity before any trial can proceed. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Özkök's remarks criticized President Tayyip Erdoğan and the political system. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-02: Journalist Ertuğrul Özkök Investigated for Insulting President Erdoğan

Istanbul prosecutors opened an investigation into journalist Ertuğrul Özkök for allegedly insulting President Erdoğan after he likened Turkey’s regime to Franco’s Spain; AKP’s Ömer Çelik denounced the remarks.

36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-opens-investigations-into-mp-sera-kadgil-and-journalist-erturul-zkk-for-alleged-presidential-

### 2026-07-24: RTÜK launches probe of Sözcü TV broadcast over false accusations against Syrian president

RTÜK has opened an investigation into Sözcü TV for alleged false accusations against Syria's president, deeming the statements contrary to Turkey's foreign policy and diplomatic doctrine.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rtk-launches-probe-of-szc-tv-broadcast-over-false-accusations-against-syrian-president

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Cite as: Turkey expands probes into alleged insults to Erdoğan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-probes-alleged-insults-and-false-statements