Pro-government figure signals: Will there be an operation against the Victory Party after Özdağ?

Victory Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ has been arrested on charges of "publicly inciting the public to hatred and hostility." While the investigation into him has caused widespread repercussions in public opinion, Hürriyet columnist Abdulkadir Selvi addressed the issue in his column.

Describing Özdağ as a "national security issue," Selvi argued that opening an investigation against him solely on charges of "insulting the President" was insufficient.

''IT IS A REWARD FOR ÖZDAĞ''

Abdulkadir Selvi made the following assessments regarding Ümit Özdağ:

“I am a journalist who has written that Ümit Özdağ is a national security issue, and this conviction of mine has not changed. He tried to stage a rehearsal for a civil war in the country through anti-refugee sentiment. Özdağ's role in the attacks on Syrian neighborhoods in Altındağ and Kayseri should not have been ignored. A lawsuit should have been filed against him. Furthermore, action should have been taken the day he said, 'If Kılıçdaroğlu is elected, a civil war will break out.' Opening an investigation against Ümit Özdağ only for 'insulting the President' is rewarding him.”

''A DELAYED BUT APPROPRIATE INVESTIGATION''

Selvi stated that the charge of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility" regarding the arrest of Ümit Özdağ was a correct step. However, arguing that this was not enough, Selvi emphasized that the Victory Party should also be handled within the same scope:

“The danger created by Ümit Özdağ through anti-refugee sentiment parallels the rhetoric of anti-Turkish and anti-Muslim Neo-Nazis in Germany or far-right groups in Europe. In the past, this country has paid very heavy prices over fault lines such as right-left conflicts and Alevi-Sunni tensions. This is also the reason why President Erdoğan frequently calls for strengthening the internal front. However, Ümit Özdağ tried to deepen these fault lines. Although the investigation opened against him for inciting the public to hatred and hostility is a delayed decision, it is appropriate.”

''A FILE SHOULD ALSO BE PREPARED FOR THE VICTORY PARTY''

Selvi stated that not only Ümit Özdağ but also the Victory Party, which he leads, should be addressed in this process:

“Ümit Özdağ's rhetoric, when combined with the general policies of the Victory Party, poses a greater risk. A comprehensive investigation file should also be prepared regarding this party, which follows a line that incites the public to hatred and hostility.”

Abdulkadir Selvi criticized the manner in which Ümit Özdağ was detained, stating that it could lead to a sense of victimization that he does not deserve, and said the following:

“The way Ümit Özdağ was detained was not elegant. This situation may cause him to be perceived as a victim. Yet the truth is the exact opposite. It is necessary to act with this sensitivity in the public eye.”