OKC Thunder’s Enes Kanter laughs off being called a terrorist by Turkish government

Thunder center Enes Kanter, who was detained in a Romanian airport last week after the Turkish government canceled his passport, is being labeled a terrorist by government officials in his home country. Kanter is an outspoken critic of Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Thunder center Enes Kanter, who was detained in a Romanian airport last week after the Turkish government canceled his passport, is being labeled a terrorist by government officials in his home country. Kanter is an outspoken critic of Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.


Date posted: May 31, 2017

STEFAN BONDY

OKC Thunder center Enes Kanter has been accused in Turkey of being a terrorist and has a warrant out for his arrest, according to a report from a pro-government Turkish newspaper.

This stems from Kanter’s public disapproval with the current Turkish regime and his support for the “Gulen Movement,” which was blamed by the president for a failed military coup attempt in 2016.

According to the report from The Daily Sabah — which is widely recognized as a mouthpiece for the government — the warrant alleges Kanter has been active on an encrypted messaging app for members of the Gülen movement. The report claimed Kanter is “a member of a terrorist organization.”

Kanter, however, doesn’t seem very concerned. He tweeted a screenshot of the report Sunday morning with his own commentary that included laughing emoji faces and a line saying the government can’t catch him and is wasting its time.

Because of his outspoken political beliefs, Kanter was disowned by his father and his Twitter account is blocked in Turkey.

Thunder center Enes Kanter, who was detained in a Romanian airport last week after the Turkish government canceled his passport, is being labeled a terrorist by government officials in his home country. Kanter is an outspoken critic of Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

His passport was also revoked by Turkish officials and, as a result, Kanter was detained last week in Romania. He has called Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, the “Hitler of this century.”

Kanter, 25, is in the U.S. on a green card and is hoping to become an American citizen. He said he hasn’t spoken to his family in about two years.

Source: Daily News , May 27, 2017

Tags: | | | |


Related News

Where does Gülen stand on: democracy, human rights, and minorities?

Gülen recognizes democracy as the only viable political system of governance. He denounces turning religion into a political ideology, while encouraging all citizens to take an informed and responsible part in political life of their country. He stresses the flexibilities in the Islamic principles relating to governance and their compatibility with a true democracy.

The Journalists and Writers Foundation’s suggestions for a constitution

Ihsan Yilmaz Several civil society organizations have been presenting their suggestions for a new constitution to a parliamentary sub-committee. A few days ago, the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) was received and listened to by the committee. The GYV did not present a full package but summarized its understanding on the most sensitive issues that […]

HRW: Prosecutions of alleged followers of Gülen Movement lack of evidence of criminal activity

HRW report: “People continued to be arrested and remanded to pretrial custody on terrorism charges, with at least 50,000 remanded to pretrial detention and many more prosecuted since the failed coup. Those prosecuted include journalists, civil servants, teachers and politicians as well as police officers and military personnel. Most were accused of being followers of the US-based cleric Fethullah Gülen. Their charge often lacked compelling evidence of criminal activity.”

All colors of Diyarbakir came together over Iftar

Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Mr. Eker praised that people from all walks life in Diyarbakir are represented at the Iftar. He said Turkey’s regime had problems with his own people. The state had divided its people into races, colors and ethnicities, which created problems. “We have made important progress for the solution in the last seven months, we wish that the settlement process will end with peace,” he added.

Animation – Story of Turkish teacher Gokhan Acikkollu, tortured to death under police custody

Gökhan Açıkkollu, a history teacher suffering from diabetes, died of torture in police custody as part of a post-coup investigation into Turkey’s Gülen group. He was found innocent one-and-a-half years later and “reinstated” to his job a year later.

Lawyers confirm: Turkish teachers are still in Kosovo

Lawyers representing six Turkish teachers who were arrested in Kosovo on Thursday, have released a written statement in which they confirmed that the teachers have not been deported to Turkey yet.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Faith Compatible with Science

Countering Violent Extremism Symposium draws significant participation

Turkish president approves closure of schools run by Erdogan rival

German court fines pro-Erdoğan daily for calling Hizmet movement ‘terrorist’

Gülen calls on followers to adapt to PM’s teaching center closures

Return to Turkey or lose citizenship, gov’t tells Gülen followers

Turkish businesswomen building orphanage in Burundi

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News