Worker Faces Dual Trials for Banner and Phone Incident at Erdoğan Event
Erdogan
A 44-year-old textile worker and father of three, identified as N.K., will face two separate trials for allegedly insulting and physically assaulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a public ceremony in Istanbul. The charges stem from an incident that occurred during the opening ceremony of Bağcılar Women and Children’s Hospital, attended by the president.
N.K., who has now been held in Silivri Marmara Prison for 74 days, is accused of unfurling politically charged banners and throwing a mobile phone toward the stage while Erdoğan was delivering his speech. One banner reportedly read: “AK Parti is the cause, inflation is the result”, while another said: “Don’t exploit God’s religion, Reis.”
Separate Trials for Separate Charges
The first indictment, accepted by the Istanbul 28th High Criminal Court, charges N.K. with “physical assault against the President”, with the initial hearing scheduled for September 23. The second indictment, filed with the Bakırköy 44th Criminal Court of First Instance, accuses him of “insulting the President”, with a hearing set for July 16.
Previous Protests and Legal History
N.K. is known to have previously staged protests near ruling AK Party offices. Though authorities had also investigated him for alleged membership in a terrorist organization, that case was dropped due to lack of evidence. Multiple appeals challenging his pretrial detention have so far been rejected.
Case Highlights Growing Tension Over Political Expression
The incident has sparked broader conversations about freedom of speech, the limits of protest, and the use of criminal charges against political dissenters in Türkiye. The dual indictments highlight how non-violent public acts can still result in serious legal consequences under current political and judicial norms.
