Ümit Özdağ's lawyer: Syria-related posts also included in the file
The lawyer for Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ, who was detained on allegations of "insulting the President" and "inciting the public to hatred and hostility," has made statements. Paşa Büyükkayaer reported that Özdağ's posts regarding Syria have also been included in the file.
12punto
Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ has been detained on allegations of "insulting the President" and "inciting the public to hatred and hostility." Özdağ's lawyer, Paşa Büyükkayaer, made a statement regarding the process.
According to the report by ANKA, Büyükkayaer stated that Özdağ's posts regarding Syria have also been included in the file.
Özdağ was sent to Istanbul under police escort after being detained in Ankara as part of an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır, İYİ Party Group Deputy Chairman Turhan Çömez, and members of the Zafer Party arrived at the Istanbul Courthouse, where Özdağ is expected to be brought. While the wait at the courthouse continues, Özdağ's lawyer and Zafer Party General Administrative Board member Paşa Büyükkayaer, who made a statement regarding the latest developments, said that Özdağ's posts regarding Syria have also been included in the file.
Büyükkayaer's statement is as follows:
"An investigation was launched ex officio by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the Chairman due to a speech he gave at a provincial chairmen's meeting in Antalya on Sunday, on charges of insulting the President. Subsequently, on Monday, the President's lawyer filed a criminal complaint against Ümit Hoca. Then, by merging these two files, an investigation was launched on charges of insulting the President, and a detention order was issued for my client, Mr. Ümit Özdağ, on charges of insulting the President.
In the ensuing process, the prosecutor's office expanded the investigation, including some of my client's posts, particularly regarding Syria policy, into the file, and a second charge of 'inciting the public to hatred and hostility' was added to the file. There is currently another report expected in the file from the police department. It is highly probable that other posts by my client will also be included in the file, and an investigation will be conducted specifically regarding the charge of 'inciting the public to hatred and hostility.' The Chairman is currently at the Istanbul Police Department, and he is in good condition. After the file arrives, he will be referred to the prosecutor's office to give his statement."