University student arrested for transporting banner 'insulting Erdoğan'

Following the arrest of four university students for carrying graduation banners ruled to be defaming Erdoğan, another student was also arrested for transporting that banner by her car
Sunday, 15 July 2018 19:53

Middle East Technical University (METU) student Özge Kayaaslan was arrested for transporting by her car a graduation banner ruled to be defaming Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Özge's father shared the news in his social media account, saying "My daughter who carried this banner at METU graduation ceremony in Ankara was arrested. She was found guilty of aiding the transportation of the banner 'Universe of Tayyips', a cartoon depicting Erdoğan's face on a variety of animals, by her car, along with several other banners."

During the graduation ceremony of METU on July 7, six students had been detained for carrying the banner "Universe of Tayyips," and four of them had been arrested for insulting Erdoğan.

The cartoon in question was published at a popular satirical weekly in 2005. Erdoğan was the prime minister back then, and he opened a libel case against the magazine. The case was dropped by the court in 2006.