Erdoğan Withdraws Defamation Cases Except for HDP

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Following President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement of withdrawing defamation cases, the cases on the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have been withdrawn, yet the ones on the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) remain, Erdoğan’s attorney Hüseyin Aydın stated.

Aydın speaking to Gizem Karakuş from Hürriyet daily said there are over 3,000 defamation cases filed by Erdoğan and that there five arrestees.

According to BİA Media Monitoring Report April-May-June, 7 individuals of whom 5 were journalists have been sentenced to 3 years, 8 months and 4 days in prison with a 2 year-and-11-months reprieve and to a punitive fine of 150 euro on charges of “defaming the President” alone.

Aydın added he is of the opinion that the five arrestees will be released. (BK/TK)