No Joke: Turkey's president files complaint against German comedian
- 8 years ago
Turkey’s president has filed a formal complaint against a German comedian in a case which could test the limits of free speech. Prosecutors in Mainz confirmed they had received the complaint on Monday.
Erdogan has called for the prosecution of Jan Böhmermann for performing a satirical poem on the German TV channel ZDF, the content of which implies the president engages in sexual relations with animals among other offences.
*A translation of the programme can be found “here:https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/4ebe9p/what_b%C3%B6hmermann_said_english_translation/”
Insulting a foreign head of state is illegal in Germany, and Bohmermann could face jail time if found guilty. However, the case has divided opinion with media analysts arguing the piece falls under satire.
Chancellor Merkel risks upsetting her voters should she allow proceedings to go ahead, but equally risks jeopardising relations with Ankara at a delicate time for EU-Turkey relations.
She said that the governm
Erdogan has called for the prosecution of Jan Böhmermann for performing a satirical poem on the German TV channel ZDF, the content of which implies the president engages in sexual relations with animals among other offences.
*A translation of the programme can be found “here:https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/4ebe9p/what_b%C3%B6hmermann_said_english_translation/”
Insulting a foreign head of state is illegal in Germany, and Bohmermann could face jail time if found guilty. However, the case has divided opinion with media analysts arguing the piece falls under satire.
Chancellor Merkel risks upsetting her voters should she allow proceedings to go ahead, but equally risks jeopardising relations with Ankara at a delicate time for EU-Turkey relations.
She said that the governm