Ümit Özdağ, a prominent far-right politician in Turkey, commenced his trial on Wednesday, facing serious allegations of inciting public hatred and hostility. This case is being closely scrutinized by critics who argue it represents a broader effort to suppress dissent against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Özdağ, who leads the Victory Party, was apprehended in January following accusations that he made derogatory remarks about President Erdoğan during a party meeting in Antalya. Subsequently, he was officially charged with inciting hatred against migrants, specifically in relation to the anti-Syrian riots that erupted last year in Kayseri. These disturbances resulted in significant damage, with hundreds of homes and businesses being attacked.
Evidence and Detention
Prosecutors have introduced a range of Özdağ’s social media posts as evidence to support their case against him. If convicted, he faces a potential prison sentence of up to four years. In a recent ruling, a court in Silivri decided that Özdağ would remain in custody until his next hearing, scheduled for June 17.
A former academic at the age of 64, Özdağ is a vocal critic of Turkey’s refugee policies and has previously advocated for the repatriation of millions of Syrian refugees. During the initial hearing of his trial held at a prison complex on the outskirts of Istanbul, he acknowledged his stance on refugee repatriation but rejected claims that he had incited violence against them. Instead, he asserted that he had sought to alleviate tensions in Kayseri.
“The reason why I am here … is because I criticised the talks held with the PKK terrorist organisation’s chief,” Özdağ stated.
Political Context and Opposition Crackdown
Özdağ’s defense claims that his detention is politically motivated, aimed at silencing his critiques of the government’s attempts to resolve a protracted conflict with the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The Victory Party staunchly opposes any concessions to the PKK, which Turkey, alongside the United States and the European Union, classifies as a terrorist organization. The ongoing conflict with the PKK has resulted in severe loss of life, amounting to tens of thousands since the 1980s.
As Özdağ’s trial unfolds, it occurs against a backdrop of an intensified crackdown on opposition figures associated with Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP). Municipal officials from the main opposition group, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), have faced a barrage of arrests in recent months. Notably, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained in March on corruption charges and was expected to appear in court on Thursday for further allegations; however, he and his legal team did not attend, prompting the court to reschedule the proceedings for September 26.
Public sentiment in Turkey suggests that many view these legal actions as politically charged, according to various opinion polls. Nevertheless, the Erdoğan administration maintains that the judiciary is impartial and devoid of political influence. İmamoğlu is perceived as a formidable contender against Erdoğan’s prolonged rule, and he is poised to represent the CHP in the upcoming presidential election, anticipated for 2028, although an earlier date remains a possibility.