In Turkey, a 16-year-old girl faces trial for allegedly insulting Erdogan.

16-year-old girl in Istanbul accused of insulting the President of Turkey

A 16-year-old girl in Istanbul has been charged with allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the prosecutor is demanding that she be put on trial, reports the portal Turkish Minute.

The girl was taken into custody on May 12 after the presidential guard accused her of using foul language towards Erdogan's convoy, which, according to them, she expressed as the president passed by her.

The girl explained that she simply reacted out of fear when the car drove past her at high speed. She also claims that she did not know it was Erdogan's convoy and denies any intention to insult the president or other officials.

The detained girl was released under judicial supervision, requiring her to register with the police and not leave the city.

On August 18, the prosecutor filed an indictment against the girl, demanding that she be convicted of insulting the president.

Last year, 972 minors were charged under articles of the Turkish Penal Code related to insulting the president and other officials.

The Turkish Penal Code, since 2005, has contained two articles that prohibit insulting the Turkish nation and Turkish officials. Human rights activists claim that the authorities use them to restrict freedom of expression.

In 2022, prominent journalist Sedef Kabas was arrested by a Turkish court on charges of insulting President Tayyip Erdogan. The law on insulting the president prescribes from one to four years of imprisonment.

Kabas expressed a proverb about livestock in the palace both on an opposition TV channel and on her Twitter account, which led to condemnation from government officials.