21.01.2025 10:30
After the detention of Ümit Özdağ, the leader of the Victory Party, Sinan Oğan made a statement saying, "The detention of a political party leader for alleged insults made during a speech does not contribute to our country or our democracy in any way, nor can it."
Victory Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ was taken into custody for insulting the president and inciting hatred and hostility against the public, while the first statement came from Sinan Oğan, who announced that he would support Erdoğan in the second round of the presidential election as the presidential candidate of the ATA Alliance.
"UNACCEPTABLE"
Oğan stated the following in his statement regarding the issue: "It is unacceptable that Ümit Özdağ, the Chairman of the Victory Party, was taken into custody in Ankara and brought to Istanbul due to an investigation initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for allegedly insulting President Erdoğan during his speech at the 4th Provincial Chairmen's Workshop of the Victory Party in Antalya."
"NO CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COUNTRY AND DEMOCRACY"
There is no contribution to our country and democracy from the detention of a political party leader for alleged insults made during a speech, and it cannot be. Instead of quickly detaining politicians and/or officials, including the President, for accusations and insults, normal court processes should be followed.
"EXTREMELY HARMFUL TO OUR DEMOCRACY"
We absolutely do not approve of such detentions that will raise social tension during such a sensitive process, and we find them extremely harmful to our democracy. On this occasion, I extend my best wishes to Ümit Özdağ, the Chairman of the Victory Party."
AKŞENER'S SILENCE
It drew attention that former IYI Party Chairman Meral Akşener did not share any message for Özdağ, who is one of the founders of the IYI Party and established the Victory Party after resigning from the party in 2021. After Ümit Özdağ and Meral Akşener, MHP had also expelled Sinan Oğan, who was a candidate for the presidency during the controversial congress process in 2017.