21.01.2025 20:11
It has been reported that Ümit Özdağ, the leader of the Victory Party, who was referred to the duty magistrate with a request for arrest on the charge of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility," stated in his prosecutor's testimony, "We are the true friends of the Syrians by advocating for the non-partition of Syria. It is our most democratic right as a party to express our reaction regarding Syrians, Afghans, and others."
The investigation initiated ex officio against Özdağ regarding the remarks he made about President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the party's provincial chairpersons consultation meeting held on January 19 by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is ongoing. After his procedures at the police station, Özdağ was brought to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan, where his statement was taken for approximately 3 hours by the Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau. Following his statement, Özdağ was referred to the duty magistrate court with a request for his arrest on the charge of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility." The statement Özdağ gave at the prosecutor's office has emerged.
"WE ARE THE TRUE FRIENDS OF SYRIANS"
It has been learned that Ümit Özdağ, who defended himself regarding the charge of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility," stated, "We are the true friends of Syrians, as we advocate for the integrity of Syria." According to a report by Halk TV, Ümit Özdağ used the following expressions in his defense:
"However, expressing our reaction as a party regarding Syrians, Afghans, and others who disturb the Turkish people, engage in illegal activities, and harm the environment while they are in our country is our most democratic right. This reaction is not Arab hostility, Syrian hostility, or racism; it is a requirement of being a reasonable citizen of the Republic of Turkey. There is no organizational link between the Victory Party and any acts of violence against Syrians that have occurred in our country, nor has there ever been. In this regard, the Victory Party has acted much more sensitively than other parties and will continue to do so. For all these reasons, I request a decision of non-prosecution against me."
WHAT HAPPENED?
An ex officio investigation was launched against Ümit Özdağ on January 19 due to his remarks directed at President Erdoğan during the party's provincial chairpersons consultation meeting, and the investigation was also expanded regarding the charge of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility." Özdağ, who was detained in Ankara, was brought to the Istanbul Police Department. After his procedures at the police station, Özdağ was taken to Bakırköy Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital for a health check and then referred to the Istanbul Courthouse.