Former PM Davutoğlu arrives at Ankara courthouse to testify in insult probe

September 7, 2026 at 05:00 PM2 min

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Former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu arrived at the Ankara Courthouse on September 7, 2026, to testify as a suspect in an investigation into alleged insults against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The investigation was opened after a video from a Diyarbakır visit about 4.5 years ago resurfaced on social media. DEVA Party leader Ali Babacan and Saadet Party leader Mahmut Arıkan were also present at the courthouse in support.

Key Facts

Ahmet Davutoğlu arrived at the Ankara Courthouse around 15:00 on September 7, 2026, to testify as a suspect in an investigation under Article 299/1 of the Turkish Penal Code.
The investigation was opened after a video from a Diyarbakır visit about 4.5 years ago resurfaced on social media, containing statements deemed insulting to President Erdoğan.
DEVA Party leader Ali Babacan and Saadet Party leader Mahmut Arıkan were present at the courthouse to support Davutoğlu.
Yeniden Refah Party leader Fatih Erbakan was reported to have been expected at the courthouse but instead attended his party's program in Istanbul.
Davutoğlu, Babacan, and Arıkan did not make statements at the courthouse entrance; they were expected to speak after the testimony procedures.

Arrival at the Courthouse

Ahmet Davutoğlu arrived at the Ankara Courthouse around 15:00 on September 7, 2026, to testify as a suspect in an investigation into alleged insults against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had announced the investigation under Article 299/1 of the Turkish Penal Code, citing statements shared on social media that were deemed insulting to the President. DEVA Party leader Ali Babacan and Saadet Party leader Mahmut Arıkan were also present at the courthouse to support Davutoğlu. Yeniden Refah Party leader Fatih Erbakan was reported to have been expected at the courthouse but instead attended his party's program in Istanbul.

Background of the Investigation

The investigation was opened after a video from a Diyarbakır visit about 4.5 years ago resurfaced on social media, containing statements deemed insulting to President Erdoğan. In the video, Davutoğlu was heard saying, "I would have added billions to billions like the ministers after me. I did not eat a single haram morsel. I told them not to eat haram morsels. They ate! They enriched their circles, made their son-in-law a minister, enriched their relatives. They handed Turkey over to five contractors." The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the investigation was being conducted within the framework of relevant legislation.

Statements and Support

Davutoğlu, Babacan, and Arıkan did not make statements at the courthouse entrance. The three figures were expected to make statements after the testimony procedures.