Turkey’s Minister of Justice has issued an arrest warrant for a Youtuber named ‘Diamond Tema’ due to comments made on a recent program regarding Islamic Sharia law.
Turkey’s Minister of Justice has issued an arrest warrant for a Youtuber named ‘Diamond Tema’ due to comments made on a recent program regarding Islamic Sharia law.
In a statement announcing the decision, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç said “The inflammatory statements made regarding our religion and prophet are ugly, provocative, and unacceptable.”
Diamond Tema faces charges of ‘inciting the public to resentment and enmity’ as a result of comments made on a YouTube channel called “Yer6”. Tunç announced that an investigation would be launched and an arrest warrant would be issued for the Youtuber, who was reportedly abroad at the time of the Justıce Minister’s announcement.
Sharia commentary leads to death threats
In a June 14 broadcast, Diamond Tema joined fellow Youtuber Arsın Tok to debate Islamic Sharia law. In the segment, Diamond Tema argued strongly against the practice, with Asrın Tok defending it.
In one quote arguing against Sharia, Diamond Tema said “You cannot marry a 6 year old girl in any system other than Sharia.”
Diamond Tema is a popular Turkish Youtuber with well known videos about religion and philosophy.
Following the release of the Sharia video, Diamond Tema reportedly received death threats and chose to leave the country.
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A hashtag belonging to those defending Diamond Tema titled ‘Diamond Tema is not alone’ started trending on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the death threats became public.
Diamond Tema releases statement following arrest warrant
In a statement released from Albania, where Diamond Tema travelled to following the death threats, the Youtuber denied insulting Islam:
“I did not utter a single word insulting Islam…You [Justice Minister Tunç] have called for my arrest faster than for those who are guilty of killing Turkish citizens. You have accused me of exceeding my right to freedom of expression in order to please a rabid and extreme group who are opposed to Atatürk and our republic.”
Written/translated for Medyascope by Leo Kendrick
