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New investigation into Özel by Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office: Insult and threat

An investigation has been launched against CHP Chairman Özel on charges of insulting and threatening a member of the judiciary.

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An ex officio investigation has been launched against CHP Chairman Özgür Özel on charges of insulting and threatening a member of the judiciary.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that an ex officio investigation has been initiated against CHP Chairman Özgür Özel due to the remarks he made regarding Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek during his party's rally in Gaziosmanpaşa.

In the statement made by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the following was noted regarding the investigation launched against Özgür Özel:

"An ex officio investigation has been launched against Republican People's Party Chairman Özgür Özel for the crimes of 'threatening a person performing a judicial duty to prevent them from performing their duty' and 'publicly insulting a public official due to their duty,' following the remarks he made about Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Mr. Akın Gürlek at the rally held in our province today."

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç made the following statements regarding Özgür Özel's remarks about Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek:

"Threatening the judiciary is a clear attack on the rule of law.

The threatening expressions used by the CHP Chairman, targeting our Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor and members of the judiciary over ongoing investigations, are absolutely unacceptable.

No one can target our judicial members or attempt to direct the judiciary through threats. These reckless and irresponsible statements directly target the rule of law and judicial independence.

Article 138 of our Constitution emphasizes that judges and prosecutors shall perform their duties without receiving instructions from any person, authority, or body, acting only in accordance with the law and their conscience.

In addition to this constitutional guarantee, legal remedies and mechanisms for legal objection against judicial decisions are also open.

Regarding allegations that have been brought to the judiciary, the individuals concerned have the right to defense. The place where the defense regarding the alleged crimes will be made is the judicial authorities.

Since the decisions that will emerge as a result of judicial investigations will be under both judicial and public scrutiny, threats and insults directed at the prosecutor's office conducting the investigation while the process is still ongoing are incompatible with the rule of law.

It should not be forgotten that no one can get anywhere by stepping outside the law and resorting to threats and imposition.

The Turkish judiciary continues its duty independently and impartially. Our judges and prosecutors will not bow to threats; the scales of justice will continue to operate only with the law, unaffected by any pressure."

Özgür Özel had used the following expressions regarding Prosecutor Akın Gürlek at the rally held in Gaziosmanpaşa:

“Akın, you hit a hard rock, son! I will come and tear you apart, pull yourself together"

“Don't make me lose my temper, we will gather in a way that we won't be dispersed"

“I am telling Erdoğan, take this one out of here"