Turkish far-right opposition leader faces probe over insulting Erdogan

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
20 Jan 2025 22:41

Umit Ozdag, the leader of the Victory Party, likened the damage inflicted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration to that caused by the historical Crusades.

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Far-right Victory Party Chairman Umit Ozdag delivers a press conference at his party's headquarters in Ankara, on May 23, 2023, ahead of the May 28 presidential runoff vote (AFP)

Turkish prosecutors have initiated an investigation into Umit Ozdag, leader of the far-right, anti-refugee Victory Party (ZP), on charges of publicly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to a report by the Ihlas News Agency (IHA) on Monday.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched the investigation following remarks Ozdag made during a meeting of his party’s provincial chairpersons on January 19.

In his speech, Ozdag likened the damage inflicted by Erdogan’s administration to that caused by the historical Crusades.

"No crusade in history has caused as much harm to the Turkish nation and the Turkish state as Erdogan and [his Justice and Development Party] AKP have," he stated.

Ozdag accused Erdogan of filling state institutions with spies, undermining the beliefs of the Turkish nation, dividing the state along sectarian lines, and eroding Turkish culture by permitting millions of refugees and illegal migrants to enter the country.

“What is happening is, in fact, AKP fascism,” he declared.

Following the announcement of the investigation, Ozdag defended his comments, asserting on X that he would not retract his statements and would repeat the same speech a thousand times.

"It doesn’t matter if you put me in prison or shoot me to death," he added.

Under Turkish law, insulting the president is punishable by up to four years in prison, with longer sentences possible if the offense is committed through mass media. Criticism of the government can result in sentences of up to two years.