04.06.2026 19:11
A lawsuit has been filed against CHP Eskişehir Provincial Chairman Talat Yalaz, seeking up to 3 years in prison on charges of "publicly inciting the public to disobey the law" for statements he made two years ago while protesting a bill targeting stray animals. Additionally, a political ban has been requested for Yalaz.
A lawsuit has been filed against CHP Eskişehir Provincial Chair Talat Yalaz, seeking up to 3 years in prison and a political ban.
REASON: A SPEECH DELIVERED IN 2024
In a statement from the CHP Eskişehir Provincial Directorate, it was stated that the basis of the lawsuit was the expressions used by Talat Yalaz while protesting a bill concerning stray animals in 2024.
The statement included the following: 'A lawsuit has been filed in the Eskişehir 5th Criminal Court of First Instance against our provincial chair, Attorney Talat Yalaz, on charges of "publicly inciting the public to disobey laws," seeking up to 3 years in prison and a political ban. An investigation was launched based on a speech made by our provincial chair, Talat Yalaz, approximately two years ago, in July 2024, while protesting a bill concerning stray animals. Within this scope, our provincial chair Yalaz, along with our organization, went to the prosecutor's office and gave his statement. Throughout the process, our provincial chair has fulfilled all his legal obligations without fail; our party leader Özgür Özel also came to Eskişehir and publicly stated that he stands by our provincial chair and is closely following the process.'
\"THOSE WHO UPHOLD THE PEOPLE'S WILL ULTIMATELY PROVE RIGHT\"
After two years have passed, in this dark period where our country is being moved further away from the rule of law day by day and the opposition is being pressured, the transformation of this investigation into a prosecution is quite telling. The attempt to punish political activities, democratic criticisms, and expressions within the scope of freedom of speech constitutes not only an intervention against our provincial chair but also against the right to democratic politics and the will of the people. We will not bow down, we will not step back. History has shown that; those who remain silent or step back in the face of oppression do not emerge as right; but rather those who stand up for democracy, freedom, and the will of the people ultimately prove right. Neither investigations nor lawsuits nor threats can turn us away from the path we believe is right. Just as yesterday, today too, we will continue to stand by the people, on the side of democracy, and on the right side of history.'
WHAT HAPPENED?
The amendments to the Animal Protection Law, which proposed euthanasia for stray animals, had been intensely protested across the country by animal rights advocates and civil society organizations from the moment they were submitted to Parliament in the summer of 2024.