Renowned Turkish lawyer Altun released under judicial control measures for ‘sharia’ remark

Duvar English

An Istanbul court on Feb. 20 released renowned lawyer Feyza Altun under judicial control measures, one day after her detention over her remark on “sharia.” However, Beykoz Chief Public Prosecutor's Office objected to Altun’s release.

The court also imposed an international travel ban on Altun who has to sign in at a police station two days a week as part of the measures.

On Feb. 19, Altun was detained in the scope of an investigation initiated by an Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on charge of “inciting people to hatred and hostility” for saying “F**k the sharia.” 

Some social media users targeted Altun for “insulting sharia” in a post shared on X on Feb. 18, where she said, “F**k the sharia,” in response to another user. Altun deleted the post after facing backlash from Islamists and pro-government figures.

In response, Altun said she did not target any beliefs, and added “For me, what you call Sharia is the Taliban mentality that stones women on the streets. In this context, I stand behind my words. That regime will not be implemented in this country either. Modern secular law applies in this country. Demanding sharia is a threat to the constitutional order and a crime.” 

The state-run Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) also filed a criminal complaint against Altun, demanding her be tried on charges of “insulting religious and sacred values” and “inciting people to hatred and hostility”

Her detention also stirred a reaction among opposition as some users said defending sharia was against the constitution.

Feyza Altun’s lawyer Emrah Karatay said on Feb. 19 in a social media post that “Regime discussions in Turkey ended on Oct. 29, 1923,” when the Republic was founded.

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