08.05.2026 17:01
Defendant Mehmet Emin Korkmaz, who targeted Eskişehir Mihalgazi Mayor Zeynep Güneş Akgün over her traditional clothing, appeared before the judge for the second time. Claiming in his defense that his account was hacked, Korkmaz said, "Because I was detained while going to report this situation, I couldn't file a complaint." The defendant, who faces up to 5 years in prison, was released considering the time he had already spent in custody.
Mehmet Emin Korkmaz made a post on social media on February 7, targeting Mihalgazi Mayor Zeynep Güneş Akgün because of the traditional clothes she was wearing. As reactions to the post grew quickly, the Eskişehir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an ex officio investigation and issued a detention order for Mehmet Emin Korkmaz. Korkmaz, who was detained in his hometown of Erzurum, was arrested in court on charges of 'inciting public hatred or hostility and insulting a public official.'
The Eskişehir Public Prosecutor's Office filed a lawsuit against the detained defendant Mehmet Emin Korkmaz in the 11th Criminal Court of First Instance. In the indictment, a prison sentence of 3 months to 2 years was sought for the crime of 'insulting a public official due to their duty,' and 1 to 3 years for 'inciting public hatred or hostility.'
"I WAS DETAINED WHILE GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT" Today's second hearing of the case was attended by detained defendant Mehmet Emin Korkmaz and his lawyers, while Mihalgazi Mayor Zeynep Güneş Akgün did not attend. Defendant Korkmaz reiterated in his defense that his account was hacked, saying, "As someone who has received state discipline, it is impossible for me to criticize a woman because of her clothes. The only witness to the incident is my aunt. I could not file any complaint in this regard because I was detained while going to report the theft of my account. The detention has gone beyond a precaution for me and my family. I request my release. I demand to be released under judicial control. I learned that my account was hacked from a friend. Ultimately, I request acquittal from the court."
Defendant Mehmet Emin Korkmaz PROSECUTOR DEMANDED 5 YEARS IN PRISON The prosecutor of the Eskişehir 11th Criminal Court of First Instance, in his opinion on defendant Mehmet Emin Korkmaz, requested 1 to 3 years in prison for the crime of 'inciting public hatred or hostility,' with half of the sentence increased due to the crime being committed through the press and media, and also 1 to 2 years in prison for the crime of 'insulting a public official due to their duty.'
RELEASED The court, considering the time spent in detention and that the evidence had been collected, decided to release the defendant and adjourned the hearing.