Libel Suit Against Journalist Küçükkaya, Attorney Okan Upon Complaint by Minister Sayan-Kaya

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A libel lawsuit has been filed against journalist İsmail Küçükkaya and attorney Fidel Okan on charges of "publicly insulting a public officer" and "publicly insulting institutions and bodies of Republic of Turkey". Küçükkaya and Okan face from 18 months to 5 years in prison each.

Upon criminal complaint by the Minister of Family and Social Policies Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya, Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had begun investigating Küçükkaya and Okan on the ground of their remarks on the Minister Sayan Kaya and her husband.

What happened?

Fox News Host İsmail Küçükkaya reported that he learned from his news sources in Turkey's capital city of Ankara, that the husband of a certain Minister had been using ByLock, an encrypted communication software allegedly used among the members of the Gülen community and claimed that the Minister and her husband had decided to divorce.

Upon the report, rumors spread in the social media that the minister Küçükkaya talked about, was Minister of Family and Social Policies Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya. Sayan-Kaya denied the claims.

Journalist Küçükkaya later apologized on his programme for his remarks on the "divorce decision" but repeated that he stood behind his report, that the minister's husband has used ByLock. (EA/DG)