(Adnkronos) – An investigation has been opened against former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu for allegedly insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the latest move against a former political ally turned rival and founder of his own party. In a statement, prosecutors said the inquiry was launched following comments shared by Davutoglu, 67, on social media that were deemed offensive towards the president, a criminal offense in Turkey. After breaking with Erdogan’s government, Davutoglu founded the Gelecek Partisi (Future Party) in 2019, which struggled to gain support, performing poorly in the 2024 local elections. In August, he dissolved the party during an extraordinary congress.
An academic by training, Davutoglu served as Turkish Foreign Minister from 2009 to 2014 and subsequently as Prime Minister from 2014 to 2016. In recent years, Turkish authorities have expanded their crackdown on anyone deemed critical of Erdogan, his government, or his values. Tens of thousands of people, from musicians and artists to journalists and politicians, have faced legal investigations for insulting the president.
