A British holidaymaker's dream break in the sun-drenched resort of Antalya has turned into a terrifying nightmare after he was arrested and now faces up to five years in a Turkish prison. His crime? A social media comment allegedly insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The tourist, named locally as Joe, was detained by police after a fellow hotel guest reported a comment he had made on a Facebook post from months earlier. The post in question was a news article about President Erdogan.
He is now being charged under the country's stringent Article 299, a law that criminalises insulting the Turkish president. The offence carries a potential prison sentence of between one and four years, but this can be increased to five years if the crime is committed by a foreign national on Turkish soil.
The accused appeared in court this week, where a translator was provided. The judge ruled that the case must proceed to trial, leaving the tourist stranded in Turkey, his passport confiscated, and his future hanging in the balance. He is next due to appear before a judge on October 3rd.
This shocking case serves as a stark warning to the millions of British tourists who visit Turkey each year. Local laws, especially those pertaining to the country's leadership, are fiercely enforced, and what might be considered free speech in the UK can have severe consequences elsewhere.
His family have been left horrified and are desperately seeking help from the UK Foreign Office. A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed they are 'providing support to a British man arrested in Turkey'.
The incident underscores the critical importance of understanding local laws and customs before travelling abroad, particularly in nations with strict legislation protecting government figures.
