In the lawsuit filed against Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ due to “publicly insulting the President” for his remarks against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the prosecutor presented his final opinion.
The prosecutor stated that the limits of freedom of expression cannot be extended to damaging the honor and dignity of others and demanded that Özdağ be sentenced to imprisonment from 1 year and 2 months to 4 years and 8 months. In addition, “deprivation of certain rights”, which means a political ban under Article 53 of the Turkish Penal Code, was demanded.
Özdağ’s lawyers requested time for additional defense against the final opinion. The court accepted the request and adjourned the trial to December 24.
It is known that a separate lawsuit was filed against Özdağ for “public incitement to hatred and hostility” for the same speech.
September 10, 2025
Sputnik Turkey