In a landmark ruling that could have global implications for digital relationships, Turkey's highest court has declared that repeatedly liking social media posts of opposite-sex individuals can be considered valid grounds for divorce.
The Groundbreaking Case from Kayseri
The Court of Cassation, Turkey's supreme judicial authority, made this significant determination while reviewing the divorce case of a married couple from Kayseri. Both spouses had filed mutual divorce claims against each other, each presenting their own grievances about the marriage's breakdown.
The wife presented several complaints against her husband, including allegations that he humiliated her regularly, failed to provide adequate financial support for household expenses, engaged in unfaithful behavior, and crucially - repeatedly liked photos of other women on social media platforms.
In response, the husband countered with his own accusations, claiming his wife had insulted his father, demonstrated excessive jealousy, and posted what he considered offensive comments on various social media platforms.
Court Proceedings and Rulings
The initial court that heard the case determined that the marriage breakdown occurred primarily due to the husband's fault. Unsatisfied with this verdict, the husband exercised his right to appeal the decision.
The appellate court reviewed the case thoroughly and reached the same conclusion as the lower court. The judges specifically highlighted that the husband's habit of liking other women's social media photos had substantially undermined the fundamental trust necessary for a healthy marital relationship.
When the case eventually reached the Court of Cassation, Turkey's final judicial authority, the court upheld the previous rulings, confirming that digital behavior like liking posts could indeed constitute valid evidence in divorce proceedings.
Financial Compensation and Alimony Award
As part of the final judgment, the court awarded the woman 30,000 Turkish lira in material compensation and an additional 30,000 lira for moral damages. The court also ordered the former husband to pay monthly alimony of 1,000 lira.
These financial awards fell significantly short of what the woman had originally sought in her petition. She had requested 500,000 lira in total compensation and 5,000 lira in monthly alimony payments.
This ruling establishes an important legal precedent in Turkey, clearly indicating that digital interactions on social media platforms can have real-world consequences for marital relationships and can be considered legitimate evidence in family court proceedings.
