Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan pursues legal action with a TRY 1 million claim against CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu
In a new development that marks a flashpoint in Turkey's already tense political climate, the ruling party has filed a lawsuit against the Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair, Ozguer Ozel. The lawsuit stems from Ozel's public accusations that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan engages in coercive political practices and threatens opposition figures.
During a rally in Bayrampaşa, Istanbul, and a subsequent press statement outside Marmara Prison on August 13, 2025, Ozel made specific allegations against Erdoğan, accusing him of political coercion related to the Aziz İhsan Aktaş investigation. Ozel claimed that Aydın Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu was threatened to either face jail or join Erdoğan's party. Ozel also criticized Erdoğan for supposedly trying to pressure CHP mayors to defect or be prosecuted.
Erdoğan has filed a TL 1 million ($30,000) compensation lawsuit against Ozel, citing "unbecoming statements and baseless allegations" or "inappropriate expressions and unfounded accusations" targeting the president. Erdoğan’s legal team also filed a criminal complaint accusing Ozel of “insulting the president,” a crime under Turkish law.
Critics, including the CHP, argue that the statute limiting freedom of expression. The CHP has long criticized the law on insulting the president, claiming it is often used to stifle dissent. Government officials, however, insist that criticism and insult are not the same, stressing that political debate must remain within the bounds of respect and factual accuracy.
The lawsuit concerns comments made by Ozel that led to Özlem Çerçioğlu's resignation from the CHP and subsequent joining of the AK Party. Çerçioğlu joined the AK Party in a ceremony attended by Erdoğan. Senior government figures have accused Ozel of crossing the line of political discourse.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc described Ozel's comments as an "overt attack on the national will" that had "gone beyond a matter of style" into a violation of political norms. Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran accused Ozel of "airing internal political contradictions" in a manner "unacceptable in terms of political courtesy and ethics."
Efkan Ala, AK Party Deputy Chair, criticized the remarks as "excessive, inappropriate and ugly." AK Party spokesperson Omer Celik condemned Ozel's statements as "disrespectful" towards the president, calling them "political aggression and lies."
The government maintains that the law is necessary to protect the dignity of the presidency as an institution. The lawsuit was announced by Erdoğan's lawyer, Huseyin Aydin, and a criminal complaint has been lodged with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crime of insulting the president.
- The lawsuit against Ozguer Ozel, the CHP Chair, originates from his statements made in Istanbul and Ankara, where he accused President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of coercive politics and threatening opposition figures, including Aydin Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu.
- Ozel's comments were deemed by government officials as crossing the line of political discourse and violating political norms, leading to his TL 1 million compensation lawsuit filed by Erdoğan.
- The CHP, along with critics, continue to argue that the law limiting freedom of expression in Turkey, particularly the law on insulting the president, is often used to stifle dissent in the context of general news and policy-and-legislation.
