TRNC party leader arrested and released on bail for insulting president Tatar

The leader of the political party, the Community Democratic Party (TDP) in the TRNC who was invited to the station for question on charges of insulting president Ersin Tatar has been released on bail and ordered to pay a bond of 50,000 Turkish lira (or €3,000).

According to report, a Lefkosa district court said Mine Atli, will remain free until the trial in the case gets underway.

The complaint against Atli was filed by Tatar, who alleges that she slandered him and “insulted his personality”.

Police officer who testified in court told the court that Tatar’s complaint relates to a post that Atli made on Facebook on May 10.

Speaking in court, Atli said this was a case of free speech. As an attorney herself, she said, she advises clients to post what they want online. She also spoke of an attempt at intimidating her, adding that she would “go nowhere” and stand trial.

If found guilty of the charges, she could face up to five years in jail.

“We are not afraid, we will continue to say everything we say,” Atli said earlier.