Jailed far-right politician denies insulting Erdoğan in first hearing of his trial

The trial of Ümit Özdağ, leader of Turkey’s far-right Victory Party (ZP), began in an İstanbul court on Tuesday, where the controversial politician denied charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, claiming his remarks fell within the boundaries of free speech, BBC Turkish edition reported.

Özdağ, who was detained earlier this year, faces up to four years, eight months in prison for a speech on January 19 at a provincial party meeting in Antalya. Prosecutors allege that Özdağ’s comments, in which he likened Erdoğan’s government to the Christian Crusades, amounted to an insult of the president.

“No crusade in history has harmed the Turkish nation and state as much as Erdoğan and the AKP,” Özdağ said in the speech, referring to Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). He further accused Erdoğan of undermining Turkey’s national identity and filling the state bureaucracy with foreign spies and sectarian groups.

Although Özdağ was initially released after prosecutors filed the insult charges, he remains in pretrial detention on separate accusations of inciting hatred due to his public statements and social media posts, a crime that carries a heavier sentence under Turkish law. The first hearing in that trial is scheduled for June 11.

In his courtroom defense on Tuesday, Özdağ argued that his statements were political criticism protected under freedom of expression. “These remarks are not insults but part of a political debate among party leaders,” he said. “In an environment where the president himself decides when he is speaking as head of state and when as a party leader, democratic politics cease to function.”

He also criticized the indictment, saying it failed to specify which of his statements constituted an insult or why they were deemed criminal.

According to the indictment, Özdağ’s statements “damage the honor, dignity and prestige of the president.” Prosecutors claim there is sufficient evidence to charge him with “publicly insulting the president.” According to the indictment, Özdağ’s statements “damage the honor, dignity and prestige of the president.” Prosecutors claim there is sufficient evidence to charge him with “publicly insulting the president.”

Tuesday’s hearing drew significant public attention. Due to overcrowding, the session was moved to a larger courtroom at the İstanbul Courthouse. Outside the courthouse, a large crowd of politicians, journalists and lawyers gathered, causing congestion at the entrance.

Among those observing the trial were main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel, ZP deputy chair Ali Şehirlioğlu, Independent Turkey Party leader Hüseyin Baş and Ayşe Ateş, widow of murdered nationalist politician Sinan Ateş.

Following the hearing, CHP leader Özel held a press conference, accusing the İstanbul chief public prosecutor of overstepping legal boundaries by ordering the detention of Özdağ. “The İstanbul prosecutor has no authority to order Özdağ’s detention in Ankara,” Özel said, suggesting political interference in the legal process.

The trial is seen by critics as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Turkey, where thousands have faced charges for allegedly insulting the president, a criminal offense under Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code.

Turkish police and the judiciary have perceived even the most minor criticism of the president or his government as an insult over the last decade.

Thousands of people in Turkey are currently under investigation, and most of them are under the threat of imprisonment over alleged insults of Erdoğan or the AKP.

Whoever insults the president can face up to four years in prison, a sentence that can be increased if the crime was committed through the mass media. Any person who criticizes the government can be sentenced to up to two years.

The insult cases generally stem from social media posts shared by Erdoğan opponents.

A vocal nationalist and anti-refugee politician, Özdağ has long been a controversial figure in Turkish politics. His party, founded in 2021, has built its platform on anti-migrant sentiment, advocating for the deportation of millions of refugees.

His arrest has attracted criticism from across the political spectrum, with many calling the case politically motivated.