Turkish editor-in-chief arrested for allegedly insulting President Erdogan

PanARMENIAN.Net - Today's Zaman editor-in-chief was arrested on suspicion of "insulting" Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, in a series of tweets, the Telegraph reports.

In the latest example of the crackdown on journalists in Turkey and freedom of speech, Bulent Kenes was detained by officers who took the editor away by car, according to the daily.

Kenes is the latest individual to face prosecution for insulting the president, who in recent years has become more authoritarian as the state has placed greater pressure on journalists and their ability to do their work freely.

The editor has denied his tweets were insulting but rather an example of his right to free speech in expressing a critical opinion, Today's Zaman reported.

It is not the first time he has been arrested for allegedly defaming Erdogan. In June this year, he was given a 21-month suspended jail sentence over a tweet he posted in July 2014.

Police officers, prosecutors and other officials have faced arrest and losing their jobs because of alleged links with the preacher since corruption allegations were made against some ministers in 2013. They were later dropped.

Kenes insisted he would continue to speak out against the president after a court hearing. His arrest came after a judge agreed to a prosecutor's request.

"I will continue to oppose turning this country into an open-air prison and an unlawful, oppressive and arbitrary administration," he said.

He is accused of insulting Erdogan, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and the president's adviser Mustafa Varank, Today's Zaman said.

According to the newspaper, he faced nine criminal complaints, two lawsuits for damages and six investigations related to the accusations.