11.06.2025 11:32
The leader of the Victory Party, Ümit Özdağ, appeared before a judge at the first hearing of the case in which he is detained on charges of "publicly inciting hatred and hostility." Özdağ, who was seen for the first time in a long while, stated in his defense, "The reason for my being inside is neither insulting the President nor the Kayseri incidents. The reason for my being inside is the Öcalan process."
Victory Party leader Ümit Özdağ was detained in Ankara one day after his statement directed at President Erdoğan during the party's Provincial Presidents Consultation Meeting in Antalya on January 19, where he said, "No Crusade in the last thousand years has caused as much harm to the Turkish nation and the Turkish state as Erdoğan and the AK Party have." Özdağ was brought to the Istanbul Police Department and then taken to the Istanbul Courthouse, where he was arrested on charges of "publicly inciting hatred and hostility."
THE FIRST HEARING WAS HELD ON APRIL 29
Özdağ's case was separated on February 17. He was charged with "insulting the president" and faced up to 4 years and 8 months in prison. The first hearing of this case was held on April 29 at the 35th Criminal Court of First Instance in Çağlayan, Istanbul.
HE APPEARED BEFORE THE JUDGE TODAY
The first hearing of the case in which Özdağ is detained for "publicly inciting hatred and hostility and humiliation" is taking place today.
HIS STATEMENT HAS EMERGED
For the first time in a long time, Victory Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ, who was captured on camera in the courtroom, stated in his defense, "The reason for my being inside is neither insulting the president nor the Kayseri incidents. The reason for my being inside is the Öcalan process. The prosecutor who wrote this indictment will say 'sorry, there was a misunderstanding' when he encounters me somewhere tomorrow."