Turkish authorities have opened a criminal investigation against former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on charges of insulting the President of Turkey, according to a report by Turkish news outlet T24 published on Thursday.
The report states that Davutoğlu has been summoned to give a statement as part of the probe. The investigation was initiated over remarks allegedly made by the former premier, though the specific comments in question were not detailed in the available reporting.
T24, along with other Turkish media outlets including Habertürk and Haber 7, confirmed that the legal process has formally begun. The charges relate to Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code, which criminalizes insulting the president, a provision that has been used frequently against politicians, journalists, and ordinary citizens in recent years.
Davutoğlu, who served as prime minister from 2014 to 2016, is the leader of the opposition Future Party (Gelecek Partisi), which he founded after leaving the ruling AK Party. He has been a vocal critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government, particularly regarding economic policy and democratic backsliding.
The timing of the investigation is notable, as it comes amid heightened political tensions in Turkey. Davutoğlu has previously faced legal challenges related to his political activities, though this marks a new escalation in his legal exposure.
The former prime minister is expected to appear before prosecutors to provide his defense. Legal experts suggest that if convicted, he could face up to four years in prison, though such cases often result in suspended sentences or fines.
This development follows a pattern of legal action against opposition figures in Turkey, raising concerns among civil liberties groups about the use of the judiciary to silence political dissent. Davutoğlu's party has yet to issue an official statement regarding the summons.
Observers will be watching whether this investigation leads to formal charges and how it might affect Davutoğlu's political standing ahead of future electoral cycles.
