Islamist Yeni Akit Issues Direct Threat to CHP Leader Özgür Özel: “You’ll End Up in Silivri Too”

Turkey’s pro-government newspaper Yeni Akit has openly threatened CHP Chairman Özgür Özel in its latest front-page headline, echoing a chilling warning associated with political imprisonment. The attack marks another escalation in the government-aligned media’s campaign against the opposition.

Yeni Akit Targets Özel with “Silivri” Headline

In its July 18 print edition, Yeni Akit — known for its Islamist and far-right editorial line — ran a banner headline reading:
“You’ll end up in Silivri too!”

The phrase references Silivri Prison, notorious for housing political detainees during past crackdowns on opposition figures, journalists, and military officers.

Above the main headline, the paper accused Özel of threatening others while “unable to control his own mouth,” framing the CHP leader as aggressive and reckless.

Smear Campaign: Özel and Imamoğlu Labeled as “Corrupt”

The article also published a photo of Özgür Özel alongside jailed CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, and accused both men of corruption and immoral political tactics.

Yeni Akit claimed Özel obtained his party leadership “through bribes handed out in luxury hotels and strip clubs,” and accused him of operating under the political shadow of Imamoğlu — whom the paper called a “thief and embezzler.”

The paper further alleged that Özel’s recent criticism of the judiciary, government ministers, and media figures amounts to “threats,” which, it wrote, “justifies the view that Özel too will end up in Silivri.”

AKP MP Quoted in the Attack

The article was written by Buğra Kardan and included quotes from AKP Diyarbakır MP Galip Ensarioğlu, lending political weight to the accusations.

Previous Target: Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek

Yeni Akit has faced criticism before for its coverage of opposition figures. In June, the paper sparked outrage for its dehumanizing headline about Manisa Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek, who died on June 9 after suffering an electrical accident at his home.

Yeni Akit referred to his death as “struck down”  (as in the wrath of Gods)— a pun widely condemned as cruel and disrespectful. Özgür Özel denounced the headline on June 26, saying:

“If you can’t punish Akit for this act of savagery, then you are complicit in it.”

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