Verdict in the defamation lawsuit filed by Ali Erbaş against Ümit Özdağ

In a complaint petition submitted to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on September 2, 2022, by attorneys for the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), it was alleged that Ümit Özdağ had used expressions targeting the Presidency of Religious Affairs and its then-president, Ali Erbaş, through his social media posts and statements on various news websites.

The petition included Özdağ's remarks: "Today is August 26. We are at the 100th anniversary of the day the Turkish army launched the Great Offensive against the Greek army in Afyon. Today, the Diyanet did not mention Atatürk's name in the Friday sermon. There is no place in the text for the Turkish nation that won this victory. Ali Erbaş, you are an enemy of the Turkish nation."

The Ankara 14th High Criminal Court opened a case against Özdağ on charges of "insulting a public official due to their duty." Ümit Özdağ and his lawyer attended the final hearing held today. In his defense, Özdağ stated that he would not refrain from expressing his criticisms and requested his acquittal.

Following the statements of the lawyers, the court decided to acquit Özdağ on the grounds that the legal elements of the crime were not met.

News Source: 12punto