Dutch man arrested in Turkey for insulting Erdogan

A Dutch-Turkish man was arrested in Turkey on suspicion of insulting president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to NU.nl. According to the charge, the man called Erdogan a "thief" and "dictator" on social media and expressed criticism of the political situation in the country.

The man was arrested upon his arrival on Istanbul airport last week. His wife and children were also arrested, but released again a short time later. The man was in custody for questioning, but has now also been released, according to the newspaper. He is not allowed to leave Turkey.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received an anonymous report about the arrest on Friday. The identity of the man involved is not yet known.

According to Trouw, another 10 or so Dutch are stuck in Turkey, banned from leaving, because they are suspeted of being against Erdogan. They are receiving support from Dutch diplomats in the country.