Erdogan Sues Opposition Leader Over "Junta" Remarks

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has filed a criminal complaint and a civil lawsuit against Özgür Özel, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), after Özel accused Erdogan’s government of operating as a "junta." The president’s lawyer announced the legal action on Tuesday.

Hüseyin Aydın, Erdogan’s lawyer, stated on social media platform X that a complaint had been submitted to Ankara’s chief public prosecutor, alleging that Özel had "insulted the president"—a criminal offense in Turkey. The lawsuit also seeks 500,000 Turkish lira ($13,100) in non-pecuniary damages.

The dispute stems from Özel’s remarks at a CHP congress on Sunday, where he was re-elected as party leader. He denounced Erdogan’s administration as "a junta" and claimed it had sought foreign approval to detain political rivals.

"Did you get permission from across the ocean for the political coup you are trying to stage against your rival?" Özel asked, addressing Erdogan directly. The government dismissed the accusation, asserting that Turkey’s judiciary operates independently.

Imamoglu’s Arrest Sparks Protests

The comments followed the March 23 arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent Erdogan critic, on corruption charges widely seen as politically motivated. Imamoglu’s detention triggered mass demonstrations—the largest in Turkey since 2013—with protesters condemning what they called a "coup" against opposition figures.

Özel praised the protests as "the greatest motion of censure in history" and called for elections to be held by November. "You will come to confront our candidate," he said, referring to Imamoglu, whom many view as Erdogan’s strongest potential challenger.

Critics argue that Turkey’s judiciary has grown increasingly politicized, particularly since a 2016 coup attempt prompted a sweeping purge of judges and prosecutors. Erdogan has frequently pursued defamation cases against opponents, with courts often ruling in his favor. The charge of "insulting the president" has been used against journalists, activists, and even social media users in recent years.