Justice system in Turkey targets opposition leader Özel
In the political landscape of Turkey, opposition leader Özgür Özel finds himself under increasing scrutiny as a new investigation has been launched against him by the Turkish General Prosecutor's Office. The probe, which opened on July 6-7, 2025, alleges that Özel has insulted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as other offenses related to his remarks condemning the arrests of several CHP mayors[1][4].
The investigation, which focuses on statements Özel made at a July 5 press conference, claims that he made "insulting and threatening public officials" and "openly encouraging the commission of a crime"—though the precise remarks triggering the probe have not been fully detailed publicly[1]. Regarding the implications for Özel's parliamentary immunity, since he is a party leader with political status, such investigations typically require a formal process to lift immunity before proceeding with criminal charges.
Another legal threat to Özel's leadership is a court hearing that has been delayed until September 2025, which could potentially annul the 2023 CHP congress that elected him as leader. If successful, this could oust him from his chairmanship[2].
These investigations and legal battles underscore continued political pressure and judicial hurdles from the government aligned with President Erdoğan. Özel's vocal defense of CHP mayors, particularly Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is Erdoğan's main presidential challenger and is currently in pre-trial detention, points to a tense political climate with potential implications for opposition unity and electoral prospects[1][3].
The CHP party, which won a major victory against Erdoğan's Islamic-conservative AKP in last year's local elections, is facing increased pressure as a result of these legal actions. The arrest of İmamoğlu sparked the largest wave of protests in Turkey since the so-called Gezi protests in 2013[5]. Over the weekend, three CHP mayors were arrested, in addition to the ongoing investigations against CHP politicians[6].
As the investigation against Özel progresses, the future of the CHP and its leadership remains uncertain. The party and its supporters will be closely watching the proceedings, hoping for a resolution that upholds the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
Sources: [1] ntv.de and AFP, reported by mau/AFP [2] Anadolu Agency [3] Reuters [4] Hürriyet Daily News [5] Al Jazeera [6] BBC News
- The Commission, being aware of the ongoing legal issues surrounding Özgür Özel, has also been consulted on the draft budget, as the outcome could significantly impact the funding and operations of the CHP.
- Despite the intense scrutiny and investigation in the realm of crime and justice, politics and general news outlets have shown increased interest in the fate of Özel and the CHP, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles and the rule of law in Turkey.
