Another warrant against musician Ferhat Tunç

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA) - Archive

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Another warrant has been issued against Ferhat Tunç.

In the trial of the musician for "insulting" the then Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım over his social media posts from five years ago, the fourth hearing was held in the absence of Tunç at the Büyükçekmece 16th Penal Court of First Instance in İstanbul yesterday (October 21).

As reported by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), Tunç's lawyer said that his client lives abroad, adding that he does not know when he will come back. The prosecutor's office requested a warrant against Tunç.

The court board has ruled that a warrant shall be issued against musician Ferhat Tunç to take his statement of defense.

The next hearing will be held on March 17, 2022.

What happened?

In his social media post dated 2016, Ferhat Tunç responded to the then Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, who referred to the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in a speech briefly in the following words: "HDP is out of credit. Now this time to decide. Five million citizens of ours who voted for HDP are frustrated. They (HDP) can't show their face to the citizens."

Tunç wrote, "You must be kidding... The millions who voted for the HDP are so honorable to not kneel down before your dictator whom you prostrated yourself before," over which Tunç was later indicted.

The musician is now facing charges of "insulting" Yıldırım in the trial held by the Büyükçekmece 16th Penal Court of First Instance.

Commenting on the lawsuit by referring to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Ferhat Tunç briefly said:

"It is the shame of the Turkish judiciary to claim that saying 'you prostrate yourself' is an insult that necessitates a prison sentence. The real offender is the Turkish judiciary, which is not only not independent but also takes on the task of being the stick of the AKP. It commits an offense against democracy and the democratic values."

In the trial where he is charged with "insulting the President", a warrant was also issued against the musician before.

The request for taking his defense statement in Germany was rejected by the Darmstadt Prosecutor's Office.

In a statement on March 5, 2019, Tunç said, "I will continue thinking, speaking, and producing abroad for some time." (KÖ/SD)