Former Intel department head arrested over insulting President Erdogan

Sabri Uzun, the former head of the Intelligence Department of the General Directorate of Security, was detained for insulting President Erdogan in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.

A statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office revealed that an official investigation was launched on Uzun.

In his post, despite Uzun did not name President Erdogan and his son, he implied that President did not do much in acting against Israel, and continues to send oil and steel to the country.

Turkish government stauncly denies such unverified allegations. Ruling AK Party-related foundations organized a massive anti-Israel rally on Jan. 1, 2025. Over 450,000 people gathered at Istanbul’s iconic Galata Bridge.

The demonstration, organized by the National Will Platform—a coalition of about 400 non-government organizations (NGOs)—called for an end to the Israeli occupation and the mass killings in Gaza.

In his tweet leading to arrest, Uzun wrote:

Dad sent fuel and steel to Israel, he was applauded. The boy protested against Israel; Ovation. Such a nation, not democracy, is worthy of the Sultan’s rule. This is what a society without education looks like.

Sabri Uzun

Ruling AK Party faces challenge over Israel policy

Mounting outcry occured in Türkiye over Israel and its ongoing massacre in Gaza with 50,000 Palestinians killed.

During the March 2024 local elections, Yeniden Refah Party (New Welfare Party) was able for the first time to peel a good number of votes from AK Party – with the issue of Ankara’s policy towards Israel a prime campaign item.

Yeniden Refah was able to garner 2.9 million votes, nearly 7% of the local votes, across 81 provinces.