Turkey student arrested for 'insulting' the president

E-Paper | June 08, 2026

ANKARA: A 16-year-old high school student has been arrested in central Turkey for “insulting” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by accusing him and his ruling party of corruption, local media reported on Thursday.

The young boy, identified by his initials MEA, was believed to be a member of a leftist organisation, the Hurriyet newspaper reported.

He was delivering a speech on Wednesday in the central Anatolian city of Konya, a bastion of Erdogan's Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP), in memory of a young secular teacher killed by Islamists in 1930, according to the newspaper.

The boy is now facing up to four years in prison if convicted on the charge.

Turkey's government faced an unprecedented wave of protests in 2013 against the authoritarian and conservative policies of Erdogan, who was then prime minister.

The AKP government was shaken by a vast corruption scandal last December that dragged down four ministers facing accusations of bribery and influence-peddling.

Erdogan, who was elected president in August, angrily accused his former ally-turned-foe, US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, of concocting the graft scandal.

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shafinoorani

Dec 25, 2014 03:25pm

This is just one of the many voice curbing attempts of the old prime minister now new president of Turkey.

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bkt

Dec 25, 2014 04:14pm

Soon there will be nothing to differentiate a democratic government from a military one in Turkey. Today its Erdogan but tomorrow will surely come.

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Moiz Omar

Dec 25, 2014 04:22pm

Turkey is slowly losing its secular principles. Not a good sign.

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Arsalan

Dec 25, 2014 04:36pm

@Moiz Omar It has nothing to do with secularism and religion. It's about democracy and freedom of speech.

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Abbas Ali

Dec 25, 2014 05:03pm

A systematic propaganda by the western media, to demonize the man, so that when the western backed uprising takes place their would be justification by the world to create internal monsters for regime change.

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Gaz

Dec 25, 2014 05:20pm

Really been a massive admirer of Erdogan and the way he has developed the Turkish economy but like most Muslim leaders he is now losing the plot.

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FAIR

Dec 25, 2014 06:09pm

Now it is clear that it was not discrimination but the Turkish human rights that prevented the EU objecting its entry. They need to settle their human rights record and thir intolerance against Kurds before joining any civilised society.

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bigzeb

Dec 25, 2014 06:37pm

Erdogan has got rid of military, has developped Turkey s exonomy and has given a sense of pride to that country. All dirty tactics have been used agst him by the opposition.. he s still been reelected.

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Sunil

Dec 25, 2014 06:57pm

Tayyip Erdogan has been suppressing freedom lately, by arresting journalists.

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Man from Uncle

Dec 25, 2014 06:59pm

@Dr. Abdul Manan

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Riaz

Dec 25, 2014 07:07pm

Erodgan is the best muslim leader for a long time after Dr M from Malaysia. Unfortunately the muslim world is so divided and weak,,as you can see most of hatred comes from west and they are desperately trying to destabilise Turkey!! Murdoch press will they publish I womder!

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faz

Dec 25, 2014 07:07pm

Deep respect for Mr.Erdogan ...who has done a lot for the country and is a sensible man. Has further strengthen the bond between pak n turk friendship

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M. Atif Khan

Dec 25, 2014 07:32pm

Of all the things going on in Turkey, we concentrate on this piece of news. Why?

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Pragmatist

Dec 25, 2014 07:43pm

Turkey is in deep trouble.

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Banda

Dec 25, 2014 08:05pm

@Arsalan governance is by definition secular. We don't have religious math, religious car or train etc.

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M. Asghar

Dec 25, 2014 08:15pm

In the general and merciless geopolitical tussel going round in the region and beyond, President Erdogan's tough stand on the different issues is needed for a stable and developed Turkey.

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Alpha Maverick

Dec 25, 2014 10:43pm

I would not judge Erdogan and his party on one news only, he has changed Turkey significantly better under his governance, and he is still winning election by popular votes. Those who study commerce and business news closely would know very well that lately Turkey remains successful in attracting investors to its soil and Turkey no more needs to be part of EU, rather EU will be better off if it is included in that club. There is no one 'perfect' in this world, so I would request to read and react to every news by keeping it in its proportion.

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concerned_Cit

Dec 25, 2014 10:43pm

Erdogan is an admirable and strong leader no doubt. Wish we could have such a leader in Pakistan. All the conspiracies against him and his images will continue to hatch as the world can't bear to see a good true muslim leader. We are with you Erdogan.

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HAIDER

Dec 25, 2014 10:44pm

Seems democrats following the path of arab monarchs ...

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Sonny Afridi

Dec 25, 2014 11:12pm

I used to respect Erdogan but power has completely blinded him and he is ruining everything by becoming authoritarian.

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Blitzer

Dec 25, 2014 11:26pm

Recep Erdogan is turning out to be a despot with each passing day.

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Liaquat

Dec 26, 2014 12:49am

Turkish people should decide who will rule their country and how much liberty their institutes should have, not western govt and NGOs. If Erdogan has been elected with clear majority again and again who we are to comment.

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shafiq

Dec 26, 2014 03:26am

Western propaganda against Turkish's President. By the way, a young black boy was sentenced to 22 years in prison by killing a K-9 police dog in the USA. See any difference now. Total Hypocrisy.

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Rightist

Dec 26, 2014 05:24am

I wonder what would be the Pakistani reaction if this happened in India.

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Kamran

Dec 26, 2014 06:27am

We stand with Turkey and it's leadership. Before any one can insult them he has to insult 200 million people of Pakistan.

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Anonymous from Boston, USA

Dec 26, 2014 07:30am

Erdogan is a true evil beast and devil. How very terrible that a 16 year old high school student being arrested. Is there freedom of speech in Turkey????!!!! I do not think so!!!! Erdogan has brought nothing, but corruption and evilness to the Turkish people.

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telh

Dec 26, 2014 09:01am

@shafiq Really its not the criticism that's the problem. Its your reaction to it. Symptomatic of deep seated inferiority in the muslim world generally.

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SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT

Dec 26, 2014 09:09am

@Abbas Ali Vow excellent analysis Abbas !

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SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT

Dec 26, 2014 09:10am

@Riaz 120% AGREED !!!!!

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Noor

Dec 26, 2014 02:21pm

always remained a firm supporter and admirer of Erodegan the way he changed the economy and made turkey in to an international power .. but these policies of repression is self-destructive

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