This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30603709
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Turkey teenager accused of insulting president released | Turkey teenager accused of insulting president released |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A Turkish teenager who was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly insulting the president has been released. | A Turkish teenager who was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly insulting the president has been released. |
A court freed the 16-year-old, listed only by the initials MEA, but he still faces trial and a possible four-year sentence if found guilty. | |
He was arrested after criticising the ruling Islamic-rooted AK Party during a speech in the central city of Konya. | He was arrested after criticising the ruling Islamic-rooted AK Party during a speech in the central city of Konya. |
The opposition condemned the arrest but PM Ahmet Davutoglu defended it, saying that respect had to be shown. | The opposition condemned the arrest but PM Ahmet Davutoglu defended it, saying that respect had to be shown. |
"Everyone must respect the office of president whoever he is," Mr Davutoglu said. | "Everyone must respect the office of president whoever he is," Mr Davutoglu said. |
Turkey's penal code makes it a crime to insult the president. | Turkey's penal code makes it a crime to insult the president. |
As he left the courthouse in Konya, the boy said: "There is no question of taking a step back from our path, we will continue along this road." | As he left the courthouse in Konya, the boy said: "There is no question of taking a step back from our path, we will continue along this road." |
There has been growing concern amid rights groups in Turkey at what they see as a clampdown on freedom of speech. | There has been growing concern amid rights groups in Turkey at what they see as a clampdown on freedom of speech. |
'Thieving owner' | 'Thieving owner' |
The boy was arrested at school on Wednesday and taken for questioning. | The boy was arrested at school on Wednesday and taken for questioning. |
His speech, given to commemorate the killing of a Turkish soldier by Islamists in the 1920s, was recorded on video and broadcast by Dogan News Agency. | His speech, given to commemorate the killing of a Turkish soldier by Islamists in the 1920s, was recorded on video and broadcast by Dogan News Agency. |
In it, he defended secularism and the principles of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish republic. | In it, he defended secularism and the principles of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish republic. |
He reportedly called Mr Erdogan the "thieving owner of the illegal palace", referring to a controversial 1,150-room palace inaugurated by the president in October. | He reportedly called Mr Erdogan the "thieving owner of the illegal palace", referring to a controversial 1,150-room palace inaugurated by the president in October. |
Speaking to prosecutors, the boy said: "I've made the statement in question. I have no intent to insult." | Speaking to prosecutors, the boy said: "I've made the statement in question. I have no intent to insult." |
He denied being linked to any political movement. | He denied being linked to any political movement. |
His release came after dozens of lawyers had signed a petition on his behalf. He was met by his parents at the courthouse. | His release came after dozens of lawyers had signed a petition on his behalf. He was met by his parents at the courthouse. |
The arrest sparked fierce criticism of Mr Erdogan, with Attila Kart, a member of opposition party CHP, saying the president was creating "an environment of fear, oppression and threat". | The arrest sparked fierce criticism of Mr Erdogan, with Attila Kart, a member of opposition party CHP, saying the president was creating "an environment of fear, oppression and threat". |
Mr Erdogan, who was elected president in August after serving as prime minister for 11 years, has faced several corruption allegations in recent years. | Mr Erdogan, who was elected president in August after serving as prime minister for 11 years, has faced several corruption allegations in recent years. |
He insists they are baseless and part of a "dark plot" to oust him from power by influential cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is in self-imposed exile in the US. | He insists they are baseless and part of a "dark plot" to oust him from power by influential cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is in self-imposed exile in the US. |
Earlier this month, police arrested more than 20 journalists working for media outlets thought to be sympathetic to the Gulen movement. | Earlier this month, police arrested more than 20 journalists working for media outlets thought to be sympathetic to the Gulen movement. |