17.06.2025 11:10
The leader of the Victory Party, Ümit Özdağ, is appearing before the judge for the second time in his case, where he is detained on charges of "openly inciting the public to hatred and enmity," six days after his first appearance. A delegation from the Good Party and the Mayor of Ankara, Mansur Yavaş, also went to Silivri to follow the hearing, which started at the 18th Criminal Court of First Instance in Istanbul.
The second hearing of the case in which the leader of the Victory Party, Ümit Özdağ, is detained on the charge of "openly inciting the public to hatred and hostility" is being held today at the Istanbul 18th Criminal Court of First Instance.
HEARING POSTPONED TO TODAY
Özdağ, who has been detained for approximately 5 months, first appeared before a judge on June 11 after the indictment was prepared, and the hearing was postponed to today. The hearing will take place in the courtroom located in the Marmara Closed Prison campus in Silivri.
UP TO 4.5 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT REQUESTED
After Özdağ completed his defense at the hearing on June 11, the prosecutor requested a prison sentence of 1.5 to 4.5 years for Özdağ and asked for the continuation of his detention.
INTENSE PARTICIPATION FROM POLITICIANS
Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş, CHP Member of Parliament Hasan Ufuk Çakır, National Path Party Leader Remzi Çayır, and İYİ Party Member of Parliament Hakan Eşref Olgun, as well as the President of the Turkish Bar Association Erinç Sağkan, also came to Silivri to follow the hearing.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
Ümit Özdağ, the leader of the Victory Party, is accused of insulting 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 also sent to Antalya due to lack of jurisdiction.
Özdağ was released on April 29, 2025, on the charge of insulting the President, for which he was not detained. Özdağ made a 30-page defense. The hearing for this case was also postponed to September 10.