Knicks center Enes Kanter is again under investigation by the Turkish government, this time for allegedly insulting former NBA player Hedo Turkoglu, president of the Turkish Basketball Federation and a chief adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Istanbul Cyber Crimes Investigation Bureau (ICCIB) filed an indictment claiming Kanter had "insulted Turkoglu more than once in different dates," per a report from Turkish newspaper Sabah. The indictment focuses on comments made on Kanter's social media page that were deemed "hurtful and humiliating."
Az bile demişim
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) February 7, 2018
Şerefini 2 kuruşa satmış Dopingciye@hidoturkoglu15 😘
Bir 4 de benden koy usta. 😂 pic.twitter.com/rRUTQAVoz2
Even though Kanter, who was born in Switzerland and raised in Turkey, will not be around to appear in court for his alleged crimes, the ICCIB is still pushing for punishment. The case will be heard at the Assize Court, which hears cases about some of the most serious crimes in Turkey.
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This is the latest charge Kanter has had to face from the Turkish government. Last December, Turkey's state-run news agency sought to jail him on charges of insulting Erdogan. He is also charged with "being a member of an armed terrorist group" for being a vocal supporter of Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based cleric blamed by Turkey for last year's failed military coup.
Kanter on calling Erdogan “Hitler of our century.” Knows it was “really strong statement” but cites those killed/murdered/raped by regime.
— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) May 22, 2017
Kanter was detained in a Romanian airport last May when the Turkish government voided his passport.