21.01.2025 19:50
After the request for the arrest of Ümit Özdağ, the leader of the Victory Party, was submitted to the court, a scuffle broke out in the courthouse corridors. During the altercation, a member of the Victory Party was seen shouting, "If you are going to arrest someone, arrest me."
During the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Ümit Özdağ, the General Chairman of the Victory Party, was detained while having dinner at a restaurant in Ankara and was brought to Istanbul. His procedures at the police station have been completed. Özdağ, who underwent a health check at Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, was transferred to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan.
'RELEASED' CLAIM DENIED
Party sources and lawyers claimed that Özdağ was released after giving his statement at the courthouse. However, shortly after, this claim was denied by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. In a statement regarding the matter, the prosecutor's office said, "The news that Özdağ has been released is not true. Efforts are being made for a precautionary request."
TRANSFERRED TO COURT WITH A REQUEST FOR ARREST
Özdağ's statement procedures, which lasted approximately 3 hours at the 'Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau', have been completed. The leader of the Victory Party was transferred to the duty magistrate court with a request for his arrest on the charge of 'inciting the public to hatred and hostility.'
SCUFFLE AT THE COURTHOUSE: IF YOU'RE GOING TO ARREST ME, ARREST ME
Following Ümit Özdağ's transfer to the court with a request for arrest, a scuffle broke out in the courthouse corridors. A brief argument occurred between the executives of the Victory Party and courthouse security. During the scuffle, it was observed that a member of the Victory Party shouted, "If you're going to arrest me, arrest me."
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
On January 19, an investigation was initiated ex officio against Ümit Özdağ, the General Chairman of the Victory Party, due to his remarks directed at President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a consultation meeting with the provincial heads of his party, on the charge of "insulting the president," and the investigation was expanded on the charge of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility." Özdağ was detained last night while having dinner at a restaurant in Ankara and was brought to the Istanbul Police Department.