Any person who insults or denigrates the memory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of one to five years. The same penalty shall apply to any person who insults or denigrates the legacy of Atatürk. The penalty shall be increased by one-half if the offense is committed in public or through the media. The court may also order the confiscation of any materials used in the commission of the offense.
Plain language: It is a crime to insult Atatürk's memory or legacy, and can result in imprisonment. The penalty is increased if the insult is made publicly.
The provisions of this Law shall apply to any person who commits an offense against Atatürk, regardless of their nationality or residence. The offense may be committed through speech, writing, or any other means of expression. The court shall take into account the severity of the offense and the intent of the perpetrator when determining the penalty. The prosecution of the offense shall not be subject to any statute of limitations.
Plain language: Anyone who insults Atatürk can be prosecuted under this law, regardless of where they are from. The court considers how severe the insult was and what the person intended when deciding the penalty.
Any person who damages or destroys a statue, monument, or other memorial dedicated to Atatürk shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of three to ten years. The same penalty shall apply to any person who damages or destroys a building or other structure that is dedicated to Atatürk's memory or legacy. The penalty shall be increased by one-half if the offense is committed with the intent to insult or denigrate Atatürk. The court may also order the perpetrator to pay compensation for the damage caused.
Plain language: Damaging or destroying a monument or building dedicated to Atatürk is a serious crime and can result in imprisonment. The penalty is increased if the damage was intended to insult Atatürk.
The prosecution of an offense under this Law shall be initiated by the public prosecutor, and shall be conducted in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure. The court shall have the power to summon witnesses and to order the production of evidence. The defendant shall have the right to a fair trial, and shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The court may also order the defendant to pay a fine in addition to any imprisonment sentence.
Plain language: The public prosecutor starts the process of prosecuting someone under this law, and the case is handled according to standard criminal procedure. The defendant has the right to a fair trial and is considered innocent until proven guilty.
This Law shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. Any provisions of other laws that are inconsistent with this Law shall be repealed. The Minister of Justice shall be responsible for the implementation of this Law, and shall issue any necessary regulations or guidelines. The Law shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to ensure its effectiveness in protecting Atatürk's reputation and legacy.
Plain language: This law takes effect when it is published and overrides any other laws that contradict it. The Minister of Justice is in charge of making sure the law is enforced and may issue additional rules as needed.