Ümit Özdağ’s Trial Begins Amid Controversy Over Alleged Incitement Charges

Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ appeared in court today at İstanbul’s 18th Criminal Court of First Instance in Silivri, where he faces charges of “publicly inciting hatred and hostility.” Özdağ, who has been held in Marmara Prison for over 140 days, was arrested on January 20, one day after criticizing President Erdoğan at a party meeting in Antalya.

At that meeting, Özdağ had stated:

“No Crusade in the last thousand years has caused as much harm to the Turkish people and the Turkish state as Erdoğan and the AKP.”
Following these remarks, he was detained in Ankara and later arrested under Articles 216 and 218 of the Turkish Penal Code.

“This Is a Political Case, Not a Judicial One”

In his courtroom defense statement, Özdağ declared:

“The reason I am in custody is not because I insulted the President or due to the events in Kayseri. I’ve spent 142 days in solitary confinement with my rights violated. This is a political—not legal—process.”

He claimed the true reason for his detention was his criticism of the state’s relationship with Abdullah Öcalan and the PKK. Referring to his past legal battles, Özdağ said he was once prosecuted for publishing a book on the PKK, noting:

“If it were a book about canaries, the cover would have had canaries. We were acquitted. The same will happen here.”

Criticism of Islamist Influence and Sectarian Threats

Özdağ warned against the rise of Salafi jihadism through uncontrolled migration, emphasizing the threat it poses to Türkiye’s national identity rooted in Hanafi-Maturidi and Alevi-Bektashi traditions:

“Research commissioned by the Ministry of Interior shows Salafism is spreading rapidly in Türkiye. This ideology is anti-Islamic civilization, rootless, and prone to being manipulated by global powers. It will harm Turkish national identity.”

Prosecution Requests Continued Detention

During the hearing, the prosecutor requested Özdağ’s continued detention under TCK Articles 216 and 218. The defense responded sharply, with Özdağ stating:

“I was stunned by the prosecutor’s argument. There’s not a single tweet or statement from me about Kayseri. Yet I’ve been in solitary for 142 days. This isn’t justice—this is enemy law. I now rely solely on the justice of God.”

He continued:

“If you’re close to the government, you can even get away with murder. But if you’re in opposition, you go to jail. This is no different from how African Americans were treated in the early 1900s.”

Court Rules to Extend Detention

Following a short recess, the court ruled to maintain Özdağ’s detention. The courtroom, filled with supporters, broke into applause after his defense. The next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17.