IMM Assembly 2nd Deputy Speaker Gencay Özcan detained: Over remarks regarding 'July 15'

In the morning hours, Gencay Özcan, CHP Group Deputy Chair of the Bahçelievler Municipal Assembly and 2nd Deputy Speaker of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Assembly, had provided a statement at the Istanbul Police Department. However, a detention order was issued for Özcan in line with the prosecutor's request.

The reason for the detention was stated as the accusation of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility" due to the allegation that he called the "July 15 coup attempt a 'theater'."

Özcan will also provide a statement to the prosecutor's office following police procedures. In a post on his social media account, Gencay Özcan had defended himself by stating that he did not use such an expression in his speech.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an ex officio investigation against CHP Assembly 1st Deputy Speaker Nazife Aktaş and Assembly Member Gencay Özcan for "inciting the public to hatred and hostility" on the grounds that they used the term "theater" for the coup attempt during the "July 15 Martyrs Commemoration Program" held at the Bahçelievler Municipal Assembly.

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had announced that instructions were given to law enforcement units to take the statements of the suspects.