Turkish president's office says 'insulting president not within freedom of expression'

The President?s Office has dismissed growing criticism of a police raid on a Turkish magazine over its cover bearing a montage picture of a smiling President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an taking a ?selfie? in front of the coffin of a soldier, claiming that ?insults? cannot be considered part of freedom of expression.

?It is never possible to consider insulting the presidential office within freedom of expression,? Presidency Spokesperson ?brahim Kal?n told reporters at a press conference on Sept. 15 in response to questions concerning the raid on the magazine on Sept. 14.

?Attacking the presidential office to score small political goals with small political estimations is not politics. Trying to become the center of attention by attacking the presidency and our president?s personality and his family is not journalism. It is often just common activism or militarism,? Kal?n added.

According to the presidential spokesperson, ?there is a vibrant environment of debate in Turkey? and ?all kinds of views can be voiced comfortably.?

Kal?n stressed that Turkey is currently passing through a sensitive period in which the security forces are battling ?terror,? referring to the growing conflict between the security forces and militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers? Party (PKK).

Turkey has been hit by waves of daily violence between the PKK and security forces in the predominantly Kurdish populated southeast, since a de facto cease-fire broke down in July. 

The Council of Europe?s Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Mui?nieks, earlier voiced concern over the raids against Nokta.

?Ban, raids and arrest at Nokta worsen an already worrying situation [of] freedom of expression in Turkey. Authorities must keep the media free,?...