Nearly 2000 cases opened for insulting Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
Ankara: Turkish prosecutors have opened nearly 2000 cases against people for insulting Tayyip Erdogan since he became Turkey's president 18 months ago, the Justice Minister said on Wednesday.
Insulting the President is a crime in Turkey punishable by up to four years in jail, but the law has previously been invoked only rarely. Critics accuse Mr Erdogan of intolerance and say he is using the law to stifle dissent.
Those who have faced trial for insulting Mr Erdogan include journalists, cartoonists, academics and even schoolchildren.
"The Justice Ministry has allowed 1845 cases on charges of insulting Erdogan to go ahead," Bekir Bozdag said, responding to questions in parliament.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/us-election/nearly-2000-cases-opened-for-insulting-turkeys-tayyip-erdogan-20160302-gn8zy4.html
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