Breaking News... Investigation launched into CHP leader Özgür Özel

Following the detention of CHP mayors from Adana, Antalya, and Adıyaman, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel called his party's Central Executive Board (MYK) to an emergency meeting. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Özel responded sharply to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's remarks that "the CHP is not the leading party."

CALL TO "LET'S GO TO THE BALLOT BOX"

Responding to the statements Erdoğan made on the plane while returning from Azerbaijan, Özel used the following expressions:

"Since you claim to be the leading party, let's go to the ballot box. Sunday, November 2. If you were the leading party, you would be jumping for joy to go to the polls."

While these statements quickly became a matter of public debate, they also triggered a judicial process.

CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TAKES EX OFFICIO ACTION

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that it has launched an ex officio investigation due to Özgür Özel's remarks. In the statement made by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that Özel's remarks contained various elements of crime:

“Regarding the expressions in the press statement made by Republican People's Party Chairman and 28th Term Member of Parliament Özgür Özel on July 5, 2025; an ex officio investigation has been launched as they are evaluated to constitute the crimes of ‘Insulting the President,’ ‘Publicly Inciting to Commit a Crime,’ ‘Insulting Public Officials Due to Their Duties,’ and ‘Threatening.’”