Woman detained for insulting Atatürk in video

ANKARA

A woman who insulted the founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Atatürk at his mausoleum in the capital Ankara was detained on July 21 after prosecutors launched an investigation.

“I am very embarrassed for having come here [to Atatürk’s mausoleum]. I wish I had not come. I am here because people had insisted. I do not love Atatürk. It was not Atatürk who saved Turkey,” the woman said in a video she recorded in front of the mausoleum and sent to her friend.

Her video cased a storm of public outrage after her friend shared it on social media.

Following a strong public reaction, the woman posted another video on social media saying she was deeply sorry.

“I shared my views about politics and religion with an Atatürkist friend but she disrespected me. We had an argument and I was angry. If I did not have respect for Atatürk I would not have come to Anıtkabir [Atatürk’s mausoleum]. I recorded this video and sent it to her out of my anger towards her after she used bad words against me. My friend shared the video on social media and that is how it went viral. I apologize to everyone for what I said,” she said.

However, the Ankara Chief Prosecutor’s Office in launched an investigation, local media reported.

“The suspect in question has been detained. After she is questioned, the individual will be referred to a court,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.