Reactions from politicians following the arrest of Ümit Özdağ.

On January 19, a probe was launched regarding the statements made by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the consultation meeting of the provincial heads of his party organized by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Ümit Özdağ, who was detained in this investigation, has completed his procedures at the Istanbul Courthouse. After his statement to the prosecutor's office, Ümit Özdağ was brought before the duty magistrate and was arrested for "publicly inciting hatred and hostility."

REPEATED REACTIONS FROM POLITICIANS

Following the arrest of Ümit Özdağ, the Chairman of the Victory Party, there were consecutive reactions from politicians.

IMM İBB PRESIDENT EKREM İMAMOĞLU

"We do not accept the arrest of Mr. Ümit Özdağ, the Chairman of the Victory Party. Everyone knows that this is an intervention of politics in the judiciary. The minds behind these practices will eventually succumb to the will of the people and will leave those seats. This is our promise to our nation."

ABB PRESIDENT MANSUR YAVAŞ

"The recent developments are deeply wounding the concept of justice. The arrest of Ümit Özdağ, the Chairman of the Victory Party, on the grounds of inciting hatred and hostility against the public is incompatible with the principles of freedom of expression and democracy. Arrest should be a tool of justice, and it must never become a method of oppression or silencing. Where there is no justice, there is neither peace nor future!"

INDEPENDENT MP CEMAL ENGİNYURT

"Shame on your justice. The arrest of Ümit Özdağ is inhumane. I CONDEMN IT VIOLENTLY. #ÜmitÖzdağIsNotAlone"

WHAT HAPPENED?

On January 19, an ex officio investigation was initiated against Ümit Özdağ due to his statements directed at President Erdoğan during the consultation meeting of the provincial heads of his party for "insulting the President," and the investigation was expanded for the crime of "inciting hatred and hostility against the public." Özdağ, who was detained in Ankara, was brought to the Istanbul Police Department. After his procedures at the police station, Özdağ was subjected to a health check at Bakırköy Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital and was then brought to the Istanbul Courthouse. After his statement was taken by the Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau, he was referred to the duty magistrate with a request for his arrest for "inciting hatred and hostility against the public."