Erdoğan sues opposition leader over 'junta' remarks
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has filed a lawsuit against main opposition leader Özgür Özel, who called him a 'junta leader' in response to the jailing and dismissal of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
The opposition accuses Erdoğan of orchestrating a 'political coup' against İmamoğlu, widely seen as the powerful president's most prominent political rival.
Erdoğan is seeking 500,000 lira ($13,155) in damages from Özel.
He is also filing a criminal complaint for insulting the president, Erdoğan's lawyer Hüseyin Aydın wrote on Tuesday on X.
Aydın accused Özel of 'baseless accusations" and defamatory language.
The legal move comes after Özel's re-election as Republican People's Party (CHP) leader during a party congress in Ankara on Sunday.
'From here, I address Erdoğan, not the president elected by the people, but Erdoğan the junta leader,' Özel said during a fiery post-congress speech.
'Not even America, not even Trump will save you in the next election," he continued.
Turkey has been plunged into political turmoil since İmamoğlu's detention on March 19 and subsequent jailing.
İmamoğlu, the CHP's presidential candidate, denies the corruption and terrorism charges against him.
His arrest sparked mass protests, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets, accusing Erdoğan's government of weaponizing the judiciary to sideline a key opponent.
Authorities have responded with bans and forceful crackdowns in several cities, including Istanbul and Ankara. State-run Anadolu Agency reported on Tuesday that 139 people have been indicted for participating in "unauthorized" protests, with 104 currently under arrest.
Prosecutors are seeking up to three years in prison for violating laws on public assembly.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
California sheriff says nearly a dozen deputies injured in anti-ICE riots
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna announced Friday that nearly a dozen deputies were injured during the ongoing riots. The riots began June 6 as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was conducting raids in the city and surrounding counties. Luna said 10 deputies were injured after protesters hurled rocks, Molotov cocktails and "high-grade pyrotechnics" at them. "We have been encountering some interesting weapons out there," Luna said. "[There is a] big difference between the peaceful protesters and the individuals who are coming out with weapons to attack our folks." The news conference focused on plans to address planned nationwide protests Saturday against the Trump administration. "It's a good cause, but we do not want violent agitators out there destroying property or committing acts of violence specifically against our police officers, deputy sheriffs and CHP [California Highway Patrol] officers," Luna said. "I just want to remind everybody that our deputies have and continue to face a dangerous situation out there." Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said the LAPD is "fully prepared" for the upcoming planned demonstrations and "unprecedented" crowds. "We're closely monitoring developments and deploying our personnel and resources strategically to protect public safety while safeguarding every individual's right to protest peacefully," McDonnell said. "If you come to our city with the intent to commit crimes, damage property or harm others, including our officers, you will be arrested," he added. "We will not allow violence, vandalism or threats to public safety to undermine the rights of those who are demonstrating lawfully. We're asking everyone who plans to participate in Saturday's event to do so peacefully and respectfully." Since the onset of the protests, McDonnell said hundreds of people have been arrested. He added that a curfew, which will remain in effect through the weekend, "has played a key role in helping to restore order, particularly by curbing the criminal activity that was largely occurring during the evening hours." CHP troopers will be on active patrol throughout the state looking for areas of concern. There will also be a focus on protecting state infrastructure.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man, 49, charged with threats to kill Koran burner
A man that allegedly threatened to behead another man who set a Koran alight has been remanded in custody. Muhammad Naasir Attaari is accused of telling an employee in an Asda store that he would behead Hamit Coskun, who burned the Muslim holy book outside the Turkish consulate earlier this year. The 49-year-old was reported by the Asda employee. Mr Attaari wore a white Islamic skull cap and black hoodie in court, with a long grey-and-black beard. Westminster magistrates' court heard he is charged with threatening to kill Coskun, who shouted abusive comments about Islam and burned a Koran outside the Turkish consulate in Knightsbridge, central London, in February. Mr Attaari is also charged with three counts of possessing a bladed article in a public place. Coskun, 50, was convicted at the same court earlier this month of a religiously aggravated public order offence of using disorderly conduct, and fined a total of £336. Coskun, who is Kurdish and Armenian, was said to have travelled from his home in Derby to set fire to the Muslim holy book. In a statement released following his court case, he said his conviction had been 'an assault on free speech, and will deter others from exercising their democratic rights'. Mr Attaari, who the court heard is originally from the Blackburn area of Lancashire, entered no pleas at the hearing and his case was sent to Isleworth Crown Court. Prosecutor Rizwan Amin told the court: 'With regard to the threats to kill, it has taken place at an Asda store. 'A member of staff approached him and interacted with this defendant. 'On one particular occasion, there was dialogue between both parties, in particular that someone had burned a Koran, the holy book.' District Judge John Zani asked about the intended victim of the alleged threat. 'It's somebody who was in the news,' Mr Amin continued. 'He is not known [to the defendant].' The court heard that police visited Mr Attaari's address in Northolt and were about to leave, as he wasn't in, when the defendant arrived home and approached officers. Remanding Mr Attaari into custody until his next appearance at Isleworth Crown Court on July 10, Judge Zani told him: 'You face a number of serious offences too serious to be dealt with in this court.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Coroner ID's man who died in pursuit with KCSO deputies
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County Coroner's Office identified a 27-year-old man who died in pursuit with the sheriff's office Tuesday night. Coroner officials said Jose Armando Ceja, 27, of Delano was the driver of a vehicle that collided with a wooden pole in the area of Road 180 and Avenue 4 around 9 p.m. Ceja was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff's office attempted to stop a white Buick Century for traffic violations in the area of Famoso Porterville Highway near County Line Road. A pursuit started and reached speeds of above 100 mph. The vehicle then collided with a wooden utility pole, according to officials with the highway patrol. Ceja was not wearing his seatbelt and he was ejected from the vehicle. Ceja allegedly threw objects out of the Buick, according to CHP. A gun and ammunition were found in the vehicle. An autopsy will be done to confirm the cause and manner of Ceja's death. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
