January 17, 2014

Gülen files criminal complaint over smear campaign

Prominent Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has filed a criminal complaint against an individual who insulted Gülen, claiming that the Islamic scholar plotted to topple the goverment and caused billions of dollars to Turkish economy.

Gülen's lawyer Nurullah Albayrak said Yusuf Ünal crossed beyond freedom of speech by launching defamation campaign against the Turkish Islamic scholar, attacking his personality.

Ünal assigned the blame on Gülen for a far-reaching investigation that has implicated close associates of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and led to resignation of three ministers.

Albayrak also said the allegations made by Ünal are mere slander, do not reflect reality.

Published on Today's Zaman, 17 January 2014, Friday