17.06.2025 14:30
The leader of the Victory Party, Ümit Özdağ, appeared before a judge for the second time in his case, where he is detained on charges of "openly inciting the public to hatred and enmity," after 6 days. Taking into account the time he has already served, Özdağ was granted release despite receiving a prison sentence of 2 years and 3 months.
```html
The second hearing of the case in which Ümit Özdağ, the General Chairman of the Victory Party, is detained on charges of "openly inciting the public to hatred and hostility" was held today at the Istanbul 18th Criminal Court of First Instance. The court decided to release Özdağ.
Özdağ, who has been detained for about 5 months, first appeared before the judge on June 11 after the indictment was prepared, and the hearing was postponed to today. The hearing took place in the courtroom located in the Marmara Closed Penal Institution campus in Silivri.
IT WAS ALLEGED THAT THE CRIME WAS COMMITTED IN A "CHAIN" MANNER
The prosecutor reiterated the opinion on the merits of the case. Unlike the first opinion, it was claimed that the crime was also committed in a chain manner. It was requested that Özdağ be punished for the crime attributed to him and that his detention continue.
THE REQUESTED PENALTY WAS INCREASED
The requested penalty for Ümit Özdağ increased from 4.5 years to 7.5 years with the addition of the "chain" accusation. The prosecution requested the continuation of Ümit Özdağ's detention.
ÖZDAĞ'S DEFENSE BEGAN
In his defense, Victory Party leader Özdağ stated; "The indictment and the prosecutor's opinion are among the most concrete examples of a legal murder. In the prosecutor's opinion, as evidence of my guilt, a document prepared by the Kayseri Provincial Police Department was shown. A document that is unsigned, unstamped, and whose author is unknown cannot be presented as evidence by the prosecution, even if it cannot be classified as an intelligence report.
"THIS IS A LEGAL MURDER"
The prosecutor's opinion is a legal murder! The prosecution is accusing me with a piece of paper that is unsigned and whose author is not even known. The prosecution is telling a great lie to the Turkish Nation!"
A RELEASE DECISION WAS MADE FOR ÖZDAĞ
Ümit Özdağ was sentenced to 2 years, 4 months, and 3 days in prison for the charge of inciting the public to hatred and hostility attributed to him. A decision was made for Özdağ's release.
INTENSE PARTICIPATION FROM POLITICIANS
Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş, CHP Member of Parliament Hasan Ufuk Çakır, National Path Party General Chairman Remzi Çayır, and İYİ Party Member of Parliament Hakan Eşref Olgun, as well as the President of the Turkish Bar Association Erinç Sağkan, came to Silivri to follow the hearing.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
Ümit Özdağ, the General Chairman of the Victory Party, was alleged to have insulted the President during a speech he made in Antalya on January 19. Özdağ was detained in Ankara due to the alleged crime committed in Antalya, and the investigation was initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Özdağ was detained not for the insult but for inciting hatred and hostility. Özdağ's investigation file was sent to Antalya due to lack of jurisdiction.
Özdağ was released on April 29, 2025, on the charge of insulting the President, which he was not detained for. Özdağ made a 30-page defense. The hearing of this case was also postponed to September 10.
```