Erdoğan Files Defamation Suit Against CHP Leader Özgür Özel Over 'Junta' Comments

The Turkish president has initiated legal action demanding damages and accusing the opposition leader of insulting the presidency, escalating tensions in Turkey's political landscape.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has filed a criminal complaint and a civil lawsuit against CHP leader Özgür Özel for labeling the government a 'junta' during a recent party congress.
The civil lawsuit seeks 500,000 Turkish Lira in damages for remarks deemed defamatory by Erdoğan's legal team.
Özel's comments criticized the government as being fearful of elections, opponents, and the nation, framing Erdoğan as the leader of this alleged 'junta'.
This legal action is part of a broader pattern in Turkey of using 'insulting the president' charges to target opposition figures and suppress dissent.
Özel also condemned the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, highlighting what he described as a systematic crackdown on opposition voices.