CHP Istanbul chair fined for ‘insulting’ Interior Minister Soylu

Main opposition CHP Istanbul chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu has been fined 10,620 liras over charges of “insulting” Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu.

This collage photo shows Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu (L) and CHP Istanbul chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu.

Duvar English

An Ankara court has given a fine of 10,620 liras to main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) Istanbul chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu over charges of “insulting” Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu.

Kaftancıoğlu on May 24, 2021 called Soylu a “liar” on Twitter and shared a video in which Soylu says he removed Kaftancıoğlu’s protection because there was no threat at that moment.

Soylu says in the video that the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP-C) threatened Kaftancıoğlu after he ordered the removal of her protection.

“Why would ever DKHP-C threaten Kaftancıoğlu?,” Soylu says, implying that the move aimed at putting Kaftancıoğlu under state protection once again.

In response to Soylu's remarks, Kaftancıoğlu responded by saying: “My name is Canan Kaftancıoğlu, not Süleyman Soylu. I have no business with terrorist organizations like him! He thinks everyone is like him, a vile man!” 

An Ankara court found Kaftancıoğlu guilty of "insulting against a public official" and fined her 10,620 liras.