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Türkiye's chief prosecutor in Istanbul has opened a criminal investigation into Ozgur Ozel, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), over remarks he made at a party rally in the Umraniye district.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that Özel faces potential charges of "insulting the president" and "insulting a public official due to their duties" following his speech at the CHP gathering.
According to the prosecutor's statement, Özel addressed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his remarks about judicial proceedings related to Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's investigation for alleged profit-seeking criminal organization activities.
The prosecutor's office said Ozel targeted judicial members conducting the investigations, stating while addressing the president: "From now on, take responsibility for those around you, those you give orders to, the dogs you set on us."
The investigation was initiated ex officio, meaning prosecutors acted on their own authority without requiring a formal complaint.
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Omer Celik, spokesperson for the ruling AK Party, issued a statement condemning Özel's comments.
"We condemn CHP General Chairman Ozgur Ozel's ugly and disrespectful words directed at our President," Celik said. "Ozgur Ozel's ugly and disrespectful words toward our President and members of the judiciary are political aggression."
Celik added that his party would respond on both political and legal grounds, stating: "No one can make such a delusional attack under the name of opposition. We know very well the evil-filled networks of this political aggression."
The AK Party spokesperson emphasized that President Erdogan represents a "red line" for his party.
"Ozgur Ozel will receive clear and definite political and legal responses showing that our President is our clearest and most definite red line," Celik said. "Let no one doubt that we will fight this barbarism with all our strength."
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