Turkish journalist arrested for tweets criticizing Erdogan
Bulent Kenes, head of Today's Zaman, detained for 'insulting' president on social media, insists he's exercising free speech
Police in Turkey have detained the chief editor of an opposition English-language newspaper for posting tweets critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Bulent Kenes, editor-in-chief of Today’s Zaman, was taken away from the newspaper’s headquarters in Istanbul on Friday as supporters chanted: “Free media cannot be silenced!” The detention was televised live.
A court issued a warrant for his arrest for tweets that a Turkish prosecutor says insult Erdogan. Kenes, who received a suspended sentence earlier this year for insulting the president, denies the accusation, insisting he is exercising his right to free speech.
Dozens of people have been prosecuted under a previously seldom-used law that bars insults to the president. Free speech advocates say the law is being used aggressively to muffle dissent.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.