21.01.2026 18:40
Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan and CHP officials Tahsin Mert Karagöz and Çetin Uç, who were prosecuted for "chain insult to the President" due to the expressions they used during a march held in Bolu, were acquitted. The decision emphasized that the expressions in question were evaluated within the scope of freedom of expression.
Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, CHP Bolu Provincial Chairman Tahsin Mert Karagöz, and CHP Central District Chairman Çetin Uç were acquitted in the case where they were prosecuted for "insulting the President in a chain manner."
A LAWSUIT WAS FILED AFTER THE WALK
The incident occurred on March 21 in Bolu. A walk was organized in the city regarding the judicial process related to Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the developments that followed. Özcan, Karagöz, and Uç, who participated in the walk, were sued based on the statements they made during the event.
THE PROSECUTOR REQUESTED PUNISHMENTS
In the final hearing of the case held at the Bolu 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, the defendants Tanju Özcan, Tahsin Mert Karagöz, and Çetin Uç, along with their lawyers, attended. The public prosecutor, who presented his opinion during the hearing, stated that the charges against the defendants were established and requested their punishment.
THEY DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS
The defendants, who defended themselves in court, stated that they did not accept the charges against them and requested acquittal. They argued that the statements in question should be evaluated within the scope of criticism.
DEFENSE OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FROM THE COURT
The court panel ruled that the words in question fell within the limits of freedom of expression and decided to acquit Tanju Özcan, Tahsin Mert Karagöz, and Çetin Uç.