"Ümit Özdağ's 'Leman' justification for the CHP rally ban"

01.07.2025 23:13

The leader of the Victory Party, Ümit Özdağ, argued that there is a possibility of a provocation being brought to Saraçhane due to the controversy arising from the cartoon published in Leman magazine. Özdağ stated, "It is out of the question for the Victory Party organizations to be a part of such a provocation process."

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There has been a statement from Ümit Özdağ, the General Chairman of the Victory Party, who prohibited party members from attending the rally organized by the CHP in Saraçhane. Özdağ stated that the discussions arising after the scandalous cartoon published in Leman magazine could lead to provocation, and therefore he instructed that they should not attend the rally.



ÖZDAĞ'S "SARAÇHANE" STATEMENT



In a statement made on his social media account, Özdağ used the following expressions: "I have given a verbal and written instruction to the district organizations of the Victory Party in Istanbul not to attend the rally to be held this evening in Saraçhane by the CHP. There are two main reasons for this:



"THE PROVOCATION CAUSED BY THE CARTOON MAY BE BROUGHT TO SARAÇHANE"



1- The discussion, protest, and polarization caused by a provocative, thoughtless, and outrageous cartoon in the humor magazine Leman has provided new provocation opportunities for the most extreme elements of the ruling bloc. It is likely that they may attempt to carry this provocation to Saraçhane. It is out of the question for the organizations of the Victory Party to be part of such a provocation process.



"THE RALLY ORGANIZED BY CHP, WE WERE NOT INVITED"



2) The rally is organized by the CHP. I hope it goes smoothly and successfully. We wish for the CHP to succeed in the struggle for the rule of law and democracy, just like all of us. However, the Victory Party and possibly other parties have not been invited to the rally by the CHP.



"IT IS NOT MEANINGFUL TO ACCUSE"



The Victory Party also organized "No Amnesty for the Murderers of Mehmetçik" rallies. We did not invite the CHP, and we did not accuse them for not attending. It is not meaningful to accuse another party by asking, "Why is the Victory Party not attending the CHP rally?"



"WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEFEND İMAMOĞLU'S RIGHTS"



As a political party chairman who experiences the pressures of enemy criminal law on the opposition in the most severe way, we will continue to defend the rights of Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is being crushed by enemy criminal law, as well as all mayors and municipal employees, just as we did yesterday and today.



"WE ARE WAITING FOR PERMISSION FROM THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE TO VISIT SILIVRI"



Next week, our friends had a preliminary meeting with the Ministry of Justice for my visit to the Silivri Correctional Institution. I hope the necessary permission will be granted. Additionally, a meeting was held to visit the esteemed family of Mr. İmamoğlu, and a date was determined by the private secretaries. Along with these, we will continue to be cautious against provocations."



Ümit Özdağ's justification for the CHP rally ban: 'Leman'


Ümit Özdağ's justification for the CHP rally ban: 'Leman'


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