Ankara Mayor files criminal complaint over calling him ArmenianMarch 25, 2015 - 11:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek has filed a criminal complaint against Turkish-Armenian journalist Hayko Bağdat on defamation charges, after the latter jokingly posted tweets referring to him as an Armenian after the March 2014 local elections, Today’s Zaman reports. Gökçek's petition to the Ankara Prosecutor's Office stated that Bağdat, who has more than 300,000 followers on Twitter, wrote a series of posts in the wake of Gökçek's victory in last year's March elections. One of Bağdat's messages said: "It is official; they gave the capital city to an Armenian. What a shame!" according to the petition. The petition also said a Twitter hashtag "melihgökçekermeniymiş" (Melih Gökçek turns out to be Armenian) was allegedly used by Bağdat in his tweets on the social media website. Gökçek's lawyer said in the petition that the mayor is "a citizen of the Turkish Republic who loves his country and his nation" and that Bağdat is aware of this. "The statements [by Bağdat] are false and include insult and libel," the petition said. Gökçek also sued Bağdat in civil court, demanding compensation of TL 10,000 for psychological damages. Bağdat announced the lawsuit on Twitter, saying: "Turns out Melih Gökçek sued me demanding TL 10,000 for calling him Armenian, dude. We are going to have so much fun." Photo: Today's Zaman Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. |