A 16-year-old high school student from the city of Konya was arrested on Thursday by the Turkish police for allegedly insulting Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan as he read out a statement about secularism.

The student reportedly read the statement during a ceremony that commemorates the killing of a Turkish soldier by the Islamists back in the 1920s. The teen's lawyers have appealed against the charges and the prosecution, local media reported on Thursday.

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The student has slammed both Erdogan and the ruling AK Party of the Turkish governmentt as he voiced out the corruption allegations. The crowd also chanted the following phrases: "Everywhere is bribery" and "Everywhere is corruption".

Erdogan has been embroiled in the said the corruption scandal a year ago and an attempted coup was set up by his former ally U.S-based cleric identified as Fethullah Gulen. The scandal was said to be one of the biggest challenges in the 11-year service of Erdogan for the country.

The scandal pushed three members of Erdogan's cabinet to quit their posts and has also drawn international criticism for his actions after the said scandal. He has tightened Internet security and reassigned police officials, judges and even prosecutors after being dragged into the corruption scandal. He is also suspected as a member of a leftist organization.

The teenager was not identified by name and he is being held behind bars but has pleaded not guilty. The arrest of the student has sparked criticism from the opponents of Erdogan.

A lawmaker identified as Atilla Kart has taken to Twitter his opinion on the arrest, saying the government of Erdogan has created an environment of fear, oppression and threat. If the boy is convicted of the charges, he could face up to four years in prison.

The penal code of Turkey fobids rits citizens to insult the president. Prime Minster Ahmet Davutoglu said in a statement that everyone should just respect the move of their president regarding the arrest of the teenager. 

TagsRecep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey, penal code, teenager, arrest, insulting the president, corruption scandal