President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has filed a lawsuit against CHP Chair Özgür Özel, seeking 500,000 lira (12,500 USD) in damages for alleged defamation and moral harm stemming from accusations that Erdoğan both enabled and continues to support governmental misconduct.
Erdoğan’s lawyer, Hüseyin Aydın, said the legal action was prompted by Özel’s “baseless accusations, derogatory language, and threatening rhetoric” toward the president. A separate criminal complaint has also been filed with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, alleging that Özel insulted and threatened the president.
Özel recently launched a blistering critique of the government, particularly condemning Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy. “Shame on those who brought the country to this point, those who appointed that minister, and those who backed him despite his refusal to resign,” Özel said. “Let them answer to their conscience and to the nation.”
Turning directly to Erdoğan, he added: “To those who stay silent in the face of this shamelessness, and to those who say ‘I’m responsible’ only when it suits them—I say this: Yes, Erdoğan, you are responsible.”
Erdoğan countered by accusing the opposition of inciting unrest. “Instead of contributing to national politics or offering solutions, they rely on street protests. They aim to discredit the judiciary and shield criminals through demonstrations,” he said, referencing ongoing corruption investigations into CHP-run municipalities.
EXCHANGE OF BARBS
Erdoğan accused the CHP of corruption, pointing to the footage of a stack of notes hidden in a baklava box at Antalya’s Manavgat municipality.
Özel said that as soon as he saw the images, “I immediately took action. I assigned two inspectors.”
The CHP chair recalled the Dec. 17-25, 2013 corruption files concerning the AKP. “You have a record of shoeboxes full of money…This nation hasn't forgotten you,” he said.
STREET SHOWDOWN
Tensions escalated after Özel appeared to encourage public protests, drawing sharp criticism from Erdoğan. In response, Özel said: “I know when I’ll call people to the streets. Think about how you’ll feel that day. Don’t make me do it—listen to reason.”
He added, “We won’t let you govern with just 29% support. The people will reclaim the ballot box—not through a coup, but through democratic resistance.”
BAHÇELİ’S WARNING
MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli accused Özel of stoking unrest.
“He’s free to take to the streets, but inciting chaos will only backfire,” Bahçeli said. He warned that if Özel’s “street enthusiasm” crossed legal lines, the state and the public would respond. Alluding to Özel’s mention of Egyptian streets in 2013 when the Mursi regime was toppled, Bahçeli asked, “What are you planning, Mr. Özel? Are you preparing what you couldn’t achieve at the ballot box, under the shadow of weapons?”
ÖZEL REBUKES BAHÇELİ
Özel denied any intention of subverting democracy. “You know where I stood on July 15,” he said, referencing the 2016 coup attempt. “I opposed it then, and I oppose it now.”
He insisted his call was for peaceful, democratic resistance. “As long as the AKP continues to target our members with baseless allegations and deny due process to elected officials, we will take to the streets—peacefully and lawfully.”
“The CHP stands with democracy, not coups,” he added. “When we look to Egypt, we see resistance to oppression—not a call for undemocratic action.”
SECOND SUMMARY OF PROCEEDING
Meanwhile, an investigation report has already charged Özel with incitement to commit a crime, and insulting and threatening a public official.
Within the scope of the investigation, the prosecutor's office is expected to send a report on the case to the Parliament through the Justice Ministry.
In addition, a lawsuit was filed against Özel for his comments on the Court of Cassation’s decision on Hatay MP Can Atalay, who was stripped of lawmaker status. The Parliament forwarded the case to the Constitution and Justice Joint Commission after a report demanding the removal of Özel's immunity was presented to the Parliament on July 2.
Therefore, a second investigation report will be sent to Parliament as part of the new investigation against Özel.
ÖZEL’S RESPONSE
Özel welcomed the initiation of the investigation by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Stating that he appreciated the fact that Ankara prosecutors were defending their own jurisdiction and not giving the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor the chance to rule everywhere.
240 SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS FOR CHP MPS
CHP Group Deputy Chair Gökhan Günaydın said that there are 240 cases to remove the immunity of 61 CHP MPs.
“The presidential resolution to strip the parliamentary immunity of 61 of the 135 deputies of CHP, Türkiye's leading party, is in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The President is also the Chair of the AKP, Türkiye's second party. The 'established order' is amazing, right?” he said.
The cases against the CHP MPs are based on 33 different offences. The most common charges were insulting the president, insulting a public officer, resisting a public officer, obstructing a public officer and opposing the law on meetings and demonstrations.
Özel, Sezgin Tanrıkulu, Mahmut Tanal and Veli Ağbaba are the MPs with the highest number of summary proceedings against them. The majority of proceedings prepared against Özel were insult files.
