Signatories of the declaration titled "Defending Laicism Together", published with the signatures of 168 individuals including academics, artists, writers, and politicians, continue to be summoned to give statements. Last week, 12 signatories, including 91-year-old Prof. Dr Korkut Boratav, were called in for questioning. As part of the investigation carried out on the allegation of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility", Nurcan Bilge Gökdemir, the Ankara Representative of BirGün newspaper, was also summoned to give a statement today.

Erdoğan targeted them directly

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan targeted the declaration with its emphasis on laicism, stating: "We will never deviate from what we know to be right, without heeding the delusions of an unfettered mob that cannot tolerate our nation living its faith freely, even though there has been no interference in their own lifestyles for 23 years and their areas of freedom have in no way been restricted while there is no debate over laicism in Türkiye." Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin had also filed a criminal complaint regarding the declaration.

Timeline of the case

• February 2026: The declaration is published with the signatures of 168 individuals, including prominent academics, artists, and journalists. It critiques the "Ramadan Circular" and warns against what it describes as a "Talibanisation" threat and "reactionary siege" in Türkiye.

• 19 February 2026: Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin publicly criticises the text, comparing it to the 28 February military intervention era. He announces his intention to initiate a legal process, dismissing the signatories' claims as "ill-intentioned."

• 22 February 2026: Major professional organisations and trade unions (DİSK, KESK, TMMOB, and TTB) issue a joint statement supporting the emphasis on laicism and defending the right to free expression.

• 24 February 2026: MHP Leader Devlet Bahçeli expresses strong support for Minister Tekin's stance during a party meeting, further escalating the political tension surrounding the declaration.

• 25 February 2026: Minister Yusuf Tekin formally announces that a criminal complaint has been filed against the 168 signatories. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also targets the group in his speeches, referring to them as an "unfettered mob."

• 28 February 2026: The first wave of summons begins. The Ankara Police Department calls several signatories, including 91-year-old Marxist economist Prof. Dr Korkut Boratav, poet Ahmet Telli, and SOL Party spokesperson İlknur Başer, to provide statements.

• 2 March 2026 (Today): The summonses continue. Nurcan Bilge Gökdemir, the Ankara Representative for BirGün newspaper, is the latest prominent figure called to testify under the allegation of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility."