Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks after an emergency meeting of the government in Ankara, Turkey, late Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (Kayhan Ozer/Pool Photo via AP)
ISTANBUL – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday he was dropping all lawsuits against those charged with insulting him.
Speaking at an event in the Turkish capital, Ankara, commemorating those killed and wounded during a failed July 15 military coup, Erdogan said he was withdrawing all the lawsuits for insults against his person.
"For one time only, I will be forgiving and withdrawing all cases against the many disrespects and insults that have been levelled against me," he said.
"I feel that if we do not make use of this opportunity correctly, then it will give the people the right to hold us by the throat. So I feel that all factions of society, politicians first and foremost, will behave accordingly with this new reality, this new sensitive situation before us."
Hundreds of people have been charged with insulting the president, including on social media.
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