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Turkish authorities have launched an investigation into the honorary chairman of Turkish conglomerate Koc Holding, Rahmi Koc, over remarks he made during the opening ceremony of the Izmir American Hospital, where he told a joke involving a Kurdish woman that sparked public backlash.
The Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said Saturday it had opened an ex officio investigation on charges of "publicly degrading a segment of society."
"In relation to statements made by businessman R.K. in footage published by some media outlets, our office has launched an ex officio investigation under the offense of 'publicly degrading a segment of society,'" the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
During the event, Koc told a joke involving a Kurdish female patient and a doctor.
The remarks prompted criticism from politicians and social media users, who argued that the joke demeaned both women and an ethnic group.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek confirmed the investigation and said the judiciary would not tolerate statements that undermine human dignity.
"The scales of justice do not weigh according to anyone's wealth, title or status; the judiciary always protects human dignity and the law," Gurlek said.
"Statements that harm the dignity of women, offend their honor and are incompatible with our social sensitivities are unacceptable regardless of who makes them," he added.
Gurlek said that describing such remarks as humor did not lessen their impact.
"These kinds of words, uttered under the name of a 'joke' or humor, do not mitigate the discourtesy directed at our women and a segment of our society," he said.
Following the backlash, Koc issued a public apology in a statement shared through Koc Holding's social media accounts.
"I sincerely apologize for my remarks, which were not intended to target any identity. I would like to express my regret sincerely," Koc said.
Meanwhile, ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson Omer Celik also criticized the remarks.
"We condemn all degrading discourse directed at women. Statements concerning women must be respectful, careful and responsible," Celik said.
"No segment of our society can be subjected to degrading, discriminatory or exclusionary rhetoric based on faith, ethnicity, culture, identity or gender," he added.
Celik also criticized the use of the phrase "Kurdish woman" in what he described as a derogatory context, saying such remarks were offensive to both Kurdish citizens and women.
"The use of the expression 'Kurdish woman' in this manner is wrong and ugly," he said.
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