Akın Gürlek files non-pecuniary damages lawsuit against CHP leader Özel: 'Attack on personal rights'

CHP leader Özel had claimed at a rally in Ümraniye that Gürlek was receiving a salary from Eti Maden while serving in his official capacity.

According to a report by Sabah, the petition submitted to the Istanbul Duty Civil Court of First Instance by Gürlek's lawyer, Abdullah Adır, stated that Özel's remarks constituted a "grave attack on personal rights."

Gürlek filed a lawsuit for 500 thousand liras in non-pecuniary damages, alleging that CHP leader Özgür Özel used defamatory expressions against him. Gürlek's lawyer, Abdullah Adır, claimed that Özel had severely attacked his client's personal rights with phrases such as "second salary," "luxurious lifestyle," and "take care of your dog."

"INSULT WITH THE MOTIVE OF DISCREDITING"

The lawsuit petition stated that Özgür Özel targeted Gürlek by making statements regarding investigations conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office during his parliamentary group meeting on November 4 and the Ümraniye rally on November 5, and subsequently accused the Chief Prosecutor of receiving a "second salary" in a manner unbecoming of a public official.

The petition stated that the claim that Gürlek held a board membership at the Luxembourg-based entity of Eti Maden Anonim Şirketi was untrue, noting that Gürlek was appointed to this position during his tenure as Deputy Minister, but that he had not attended any meetings of the company or received any income since being appointed as Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor. Furthermore, it was alleged that Özel "acted with the motive of discrediting."

ERDOĞAN ALSO FILED A LAWSUIT

The lawyer for AKP leader and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also announced that a lawsuit for 500 thousand TL in non-pecuniary damages had been filed against Özel at the Ankara Civil Court of First Instance due to his speech at the rally in Ümraniye, where he said, "Take care of your dog." Additionally, it was reported that a criminal complaint had been filed with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

News Source: 12punto