SILENCED

Turkish Teen Cuffed for Erdogan Insult

Has since been released.

Turkish police arrested a 16-year-old boy for criticizing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a student protest. In his speech, the teen preached secularism and singled out Erdogan’s recent corruption allegations. “Everywhere is bribery, everywhere is corruption,” the crowd chanted as the 16-year-old praised the principles of Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu defended the arrest of the 16-year-old, saying the president “needs to be shown respect.” It is a crime in Turkey to insult the president. The teen, who could have faced up to four years behind bars, was released Friday.