Opposition MP faces probe for spreading misleading information about Turkish prisons

Tuncay Ozkan, a member of the main opposition CHP from Izmir, has been placed under investigation by the Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office for spreading misleading information publicly.

This comes after Ozkan made controversial statements during his appearance on a Turkish private TV channel, where he claimed that political assassinations could occur in Turkish prisons and suggested that Umit Ozdag, a prominent political figure, was poisoned while incarcerated. Ozkan also warned about the risks of food contamination in prisons.

Why it matters

The Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into Ozkan on charges of spreading misleading information publicly, and the country’s broadcasting regulator, RTÜK, strongly condemned his remarks. The case raises questions about the limits of freedom of expression and the potential consequences of spreading unverified claims.

Details

• In his appearance, Ozkan stated, “Poisoning in prisons could be common. I advise Umit Ozdag not to eat onions, as nuclear substances are allegedly administered this way.”
• He further added, “Prisons are ideal environments for these types of poisoning incidents.”
• Following these statements, the Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into Ozkan for “spreading misleading information publicly.”
• RTÜK President Ebubekir Sahin criticized the statements, describing them as false and potentially harmful to societal trust.