Ankara Prosecutor's Office Opens Insult Investigation Against Davutoğlu

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced it has launched an official investigation against Turkey's former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on charges of "insulting the president." The investigation is based on statements in a video recorded approximately 4.5 years ago and recirculating on social media in recent days. The Prosecutor's Office is examining whether Davutoğlu's words constitute a crime under Article 299, Paragraph 1 of the Turkish Penal Code.

In the video, while criticizing the government's economic management, Davutoğlu claimed that relatives and associates were enriched, tenders were given to special circles, and that they "suffocated Turkey with five tenders." He also targeted the current government with harsh statements such as "there is no respect for the judiciary, since you eat the property of orphans, I don't respect you either." These words were evaluated by the Prosecutor's Office as insults directed at President Erdoğan.

The Prosecutor's Office conducted a preliminary review based on social media shares and subsequently decided to open an official investigation. Davutoğlu currently serves as the Chairman of the Future Party. According to the Prosecutor's Office statement, the investigation is being conducted "impartially and swiftly."