PodcastTurkish man faces legal action over 'refusal to believe in COVID-19'
Turkish authorities have launched a legal action into a man over his remarks made to the press that he "does not believe in coronavirus." The man faces charges of “acting in violation of measures with regards to contagious diseases.”
Duvar English
Turkish authorities have launched a legal action into a man after he told various media outlets that he “does not believe in coronavirus,” Diken online newspaper reported on Aug. 7.
Theman named Fahrettin Öztürk, who lives in the eastern province ofErzurum, faces charges of “acting in violation of measures withregards to contagious diseases.”
On July 24, Öztürk was seen in public without his face mask on. He told journalists that he believed the virus “was a project of certain powers” and he would believe in its existence if he or his relatives would be infected.
Öztürkgave similar interviews to media outlets the following days, on July25 and 27. And on July 30, he was again seen outside without his maskon.
Öztürk was this time taken to the police station and was imposed a fine of 900 Turkish Liras ($125) for not wearing a face covering in public. Authorities also launched a legal action into him over his interviews considered to be downplaying the importance of the virus.