Ankara: The Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated a judicial investigation against former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on charges of insulting the President of the Republic. The investigation is rooted in statements made by Davutoglu in 2021, which recently resurfaced on social media, containing sharp criticism of President Erdogan and individuals close to him.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Public Prosecutor’s Office announced the investigation based on Article 299/1 of the Turkish Penal Code. This article pertains to insulting the President and carries a potential prison sentence of one to four years upon conviction. However, it is important to note that opening an investigation or summoning a person for questioning does not automatically result in conviction or imprisonment.

In the resurfaced video clip, Davutoglu responds to allegations regarding his tenure as Prime Minister. He asserts, “If I hadn’t objected, I wouldn’t have lost my position as Prime Minister. If I hadn’t objected, I would have multiplied my billions, just like the Prime Minister who succeeded me and the other ministers. I didn’t take a single penny that wasn’t rightfully mine, and I told them not to, but they did.”

Ahmet Davutoglu, also the leader of the opposition Future Party, officially dissolved his party and ended his political career on August 22nd, stepping away from all political activities. Davutoglu is scheduled to appear before the Ankara Court/Prosecutor’s Office next Monday, September 7, at 3:00 PM to provide his statement as a suspect, given that he lacks parliamentary immunity.