Far-right Victory Party leader Umit Ozdag arrested on incitement charges

Umit Ozdag, leader of the far-right Victory Party, was arrested Tuesday on charges of “inciting people to hatred and hostility” after being detained for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ozdag was detained as part of an investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding comments he made about Erdogan during his party’s provincial chairs consultation meeting on January 19.

After completing his procedures at the Istanbul Courthouse, Ozdag gave his statement to the prosecutor’s office.

Following his statement, Ozdag was taken to the criminal court of peace, where he was arrested on the charge of “public incitement to hatred and hostility.”

An ex officio investigation had already been launched against Ozdag for “insulting the President” based on his remarks during the January 19 meeting. The investigation was later expanded to include the additional charge of “public incitement to hatred and hostility.”

Detained initially in Ankara, Ozdag was transported to the Istanbul Security Directorate. After his procedures at the police headquarters, he underwent a health check at Bakırköy Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital before being taken to the Istanbul Courthouse.

Following questioning by the Terrorism Crimes Investigation Bureau, Ozdag was referred to the criminal court of peace with a request for his arrest on the incitement charges.