Turkey arrests newspaper editor on charges of insulting the president amid crackdown on press freedom
Turkish police have arrested the editor of a leading English-language daily newspaper for posting a number of tweets allegedly "insulting" President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Bulent Kenes was detained by plain-clothes officers at Zaman's offices in the latest example of restriction on press freedom in the country, International Business Times reported.
The Turkish Journalists' Union (TGC) issued a statement condemning the apprehension. "Referring Today's Zaman Editor-in-Chief Bulent Kenes to a court for arrest ahead of elections is another example of intimidation of the media," it said. "We hope these moves which harm Turkish democracy ends."
Kenes was taken away from the offices amid cries of "free media cannot be silenced!" from supporters. His departure was broadcast live by television channel, Samanyolu.
Agreeing to a request by prosecutors to detain Kenes, an Istanbul court issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of "insulting" Erdogan in a series of tweets sent in August. Kenes said that he was simply expressing a critical opinion as per his right to free speech. He was handed a 21-month suspended jail term in June on charges of insulting Erdogan in a separate case