Defendant Sentenced for Insulting Hikmet Karaman as “Bald” – Latest Turkey News
The incident that took place in Kayseri on March 6, 2022 has garnered attention due to a social media dispute. Hikmet Karaman, who was working in Kayserispor at the time, allegedly shared a post on his social media account, which prompted Serhat Ö. to leave an abusive comment referring to his baldness. As a result of a complaint, the Kayseri Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation against Serhat Ö. and prepared an indictment. The indictment sought a prison sentence of 3 months to 2 years for the crime of ‘insulting through a voice-written or video message’.
The case was brought before the Kayseri 13th Criminal Court of First Instance, but the defendant, Serhat Ö., did not appear in court as he was abroad. In light of his absence, the court judge decided to issue an arrest warrant in order to take his statement and postponed the hearing to a later date.
The incident and subsequent legal proceedings serve as a reminder of the potential consequences of online behavior and the importance of observing respectful communication on social media platforms. It also highlights the reach and impact of social media interactions, as even comments made online can lead to legal action. The case is ongoing, and further developments are awaited.
