Turkish Presidency’s Head of Communications, Fahrettin Altun, strongly criticized The Economist magazine for what he described as an attempt to manipulate ongoing legal proceedings in Türkiye and target President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

In a statement on X, Altun accused The Economist of remaining silent in the face of "the most brutal massacres" committed by Israel while now choosing to attack President Erdoğan. He argued that the magazine was attempting to influence Türkiye’s independent judiciary through its reporting.

"The Economist, which has remained silent for months in the face of the most brutal massacres committed in broad daylight by genocidal Israeli terror, has now dared to target our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, by manipulating certain ongoing trials and investigations conducted by Türkiye’s independent judiciary," Altun stated.

He went on to claim that the publication ignores universal legal principles, offers unconditional support to Israel, and fails to criticize Western states that, in his view, intimidate those defending Palestinian rights.

"A publication that disregards universal legal principles and offers unconditional support to Israel while failing to utter a single word of criticism against Western states that attempt to intimidate those defending the legitimate rights of the oppressed Palestinian people has no wisdom to offer us—but much that serves as a cautionary example!" he added.

Altun also accused the magazine of targeting Türkiye’s globally successful TV series industry as part of a broader conspiracy against the country. He dismissed such efforts as futile, emphasizing President Erdoğan’s leadership in strengthening Türkiye.

"This initiative, which specifically targets Türkiye’s globally successful TV series industry and seeks to lay the groundwork for a political operation, is yet another version of global conspiracies against our country. However, under the leadership of our President, we continue to move forward resolutely toward our goal of a great and powerful Türkiye, undeterred by these sinister schemes!"

Concluding his statement, Altun alleged that public resources from some metropolitan municipalities in Türkiye were being misused for what he termed “cheap PR operations.” He called upon the Turkish public to judge the situation for themselves.

"Lastly, we observe that public resources from some of our country’s metropolitan municipalities are being spent on such cheap PR operations. We leave this matter to the sound discretion of our nation."

Altun’s remarks reflect Türkiye’s ongoing concerns over foreign media coverage and its impact on the country’s domestic and international reputation. The response also underscores the Turkish government’s firm stance against what it perceives as foreign interference in national affairs. (ILKHA)