Erdogan Files Lawsuit Against German Lawmaker for Calling Him 'Sewage Rat'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has filed a lawsuit against a German lawmaker who referred to him as a "sewage rat," according to Bianet with reference to Erdogan's lawyer.

Erdogan's lawyer, Mustafa Kaplank, has submitted a defamation claim against Wolfgang Kubicki, a member of Germany's ruling Free Democratic Party. Erdogan had previously won a lawsuit against German comedian Jan Böhmermann, who mocked him with his satirical poetry.

The German ambassador has been summoned to Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara regarding Kubicki's remarks. According to Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code, "insulting the president" is a crime punishable by up to four years in prison.