Main opposition lawmaker under investigation over July 15 comment

ANKARA

The Antalya Chief Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Antalya lawmaker Mustafa Akaydın over terrorist propaganda charges after he claimed the July 15 coup attempt “was a theatrical play.”

Akaydın is accused of being a member of FETÖ, for inducing hatred and enmity within the public, for indignity, and for propagating for a terrorist organization by arguing the July 15 coup attempt was staged.
 
“The July 15 event is a theatrical play. I watched it on TV just like watching a sitcom. The state has killed 250 people on its own,” Ayaydın said in a press conference on Aug. 3.

Prosecutor Ramazan Solmaz stated he initiated the investigation sua sponte as the legislative immunities of the lawmakers were lifted.

Akaydın, on the other hand, defended his initial comments, saying he had not been notified about the investigation.

“I have said what I know to be true. It is my duty as an opposition lawmaker to speak the truth, to enlighten the public and to ask questions to the ruling party. If the opposition cannot speak in a country, who else can?” Ayaydın said on Aug. 16. 

“I stand for every word I said. As I have explained in the press conference, there are suspicious points about July 15. What would be my crime in order to necessitate an investigation?” he added.