Former Erdogan rival in presidential election faces 110 years in prison

Former Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroglu could face up to 110 years in prison for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials. About it informs local publication Cumhuriyet.

Kılıçdaroğlu is the leader of the opposition Republican People’s Party. According to the politician’s lawyer, Jalal Celik, 28 lawsuits have been filed against him, most of which are related to the public statements of the oppositionist against Erdogan. In particular, Kılıçdaroğlu called the current president a liar, the head of a bribe collection center, accused him of helping terrorists and compared him with Muammar Gaddafi and Ceausescu.

Some lawsuits were initiated as early as 2016, but since Kılıçdaroglu had parliamentary immunity, their consideration was suspended. Now they will be resumed, as the politician lost the presidential election and was not elected to parliament.

Cumhuriyet writes that for each such suit, the term of imprisonment can range from one year to 13 years. At the same time, Kılıçdaroğlu may be banned from engaging in political activities.

3 June Erdogan entered as President of Turkey after being re-elected. He won the presidential elections by a 4% margin of Kılıçdaroğlu, who was his main opponent. Erdogan won 52.18% of the vote, and Kılıçdaroğlu – 47.82%. These are the results of the second round of elections. It was decided to hold it after none of the candidates on May 14 passed the mark of 50% of the votes required to win in the first round.