Prosecutor sends Kurdish deputy indictment to Justice Ministry

A prosecutor in Turkey’s capital Ankara has announced the dispatch of an indictment to the Ministry of Justice against CHP (Republican People’s Party) Deputy, Sezgin Tanrikulu, following his recent comments on the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).

This comes under an investigation initiated by the Parliamentarian Bureau, accusing Tanrikulu of “openly inciting the public to hatred and hostility” and “publicly insulting the military and law enforcement agencies” of the state.

The investigation trails remarks made by Tanrikulu during a TV broadcast where he critically discussed various actions of the TSK, including past incidents attributed to the force.

Following Tanrikulu's remarks, there was notable distancing from his own party regarding his statements. CHP spokesperson Faik Öztrak responded firmly to the comments, stating, “The statements of Diyarbakir Deputy Sezgin Tanrikulu, which put the Turkish Armed Forces, the apple of our nation's eye, under suspicion, are unacceptable. This issue will be discussed by our competent authorities.” Furthermore, CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu emphasized the party’s respect and regard for the TSK, affirming, "The TSK is our apple of the eye."

Tanrikulu, on the other hand, remains resolute, asserting his commitment to defending human rights and the pursuit of truth. In a recent statement, he emphasized, "I am not one of those who bend the truths according to the conditions of the period, or those who remain silent when they face hardships."