Turkish Lawyer Feyza Altun Released After Being Arrested for Disrespecting “Sharia Law”

Lawyer Feyza Altun is a famous lawyer who was arrested by the Turkish authorities on February 19 is released by the Penal Judgeship of Peace, a day after.

An investigation was initiated against the lawyer by a Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in Istanbul due to “inciting people to hatred and hostility.”

The prominent internet personality was subjected to a seizure and search operation conducted by the police.

The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Beykoz district took a stand and started the investigation against Lawyer Feyza Altun for “insulting Sharia law” on social media, which falls under Article 216/1 of the Turkish Penal Code.

Feyza Altun Detained

Article 216/1 states that instigating a section of the public in the public sphere, having different characteristics in terms of sect, region, religion, race, social class, to hostility and hatred against another section of the public, is an offense. Thus, the article also stipulates imprisonment for one to three years.

The famous TV pundit and lawyer had posted a Persian poem on her official X (formerly Twitter) account the day before, on February 18.

Another X user commented on the post sarcastically, stating, “Feyza is experiencing a Sharia attack.”

In response, Altun replied, “Şeriate sokayım,” a vulgar phrase that can be translated as “F**k the sharia” or “screw sharia.”

Subsequently, Feyza Altun made herself clear by stating that, “The Republic of Turkey is secular, and it will remain secular.”

However, after facing insults and backlash from the public, Altun deleted her post from the social media platform.

On February 19, the lawyer Altun gave a statement on X where she mentioned that she didn’t insult any belief or hasn’t written anything offensive.

Feyza Altun stated,

Şeriat dediğiniz şey sokaklarda kadın taşlayan Taliban aklıdır benim için. Bu bağlamda sözümün de arkasındayım. Bu ülkede de o rejim uygulanmayacak. Bu ülkede modern laik hukuk kuralları geçerlidir. Şeriat istemek anayasal düzeni tehdittir ve suçtur. Ettiğiniz küfür hakaret ve tehditleri iade ediyorum.

Translation below-

“For me, what you call Sharia is the Taliban mentality that stones women on the streets. In this context, I stand behind my word. That regime will not be implemented in this country either. Modern secular law applies in this country. Demanding sharia is a threat to the constitutional order and a crime.”

Feyza Altun Released

As reported by Anadolu Agency, Feyza Altun, who used offensive tongue in her Twitter post related to Sharia, was directed to Beykoz Courthouse.

After appearing before the prosecutor at the courthouse, Altun was sent to the Penal Judgeship of Peace with a request for her arrest following the statement she gave. 

The court decided to release Altun under judicial control measures, which include an “international travel ban” and the requirement to “sign in at the police station twice a week.

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