Turkish Opposition Leader Umit Ozdag Released with Suspended Sentence After Five Months in Detention

Umit Ozdag

Turkey's Victory Party chairman walks free following court ruling on hate speech charges

Turkish opposition politician Umit Ozdag was released from custody on June 17, 2025, after spending nearly five months in detention on charges of inciting hatred and hostility through social media posts.

The chairman of Turkey's Victory Party received a suspended sentence of 2 years, 4 months, and 3 days imprisonment from a court in Silivri, meaning he will serve his sentence conditionally while remaining free. The court ruled that the charges against him had been proven, but credited his 148 days already spent in detention toward the sentence.

Background of the Case

Özdağ was initially arrested on January 19, 2025, in Ankara following a Victory Party meeting in Antalya. During that gathering, he had used harsh language against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which led to his subsequent arrest in Istanbul and transfer to Silivri Prison.

The prosecution's case centered on Özdağ's social media activity dating back to 2020, alleging that his posts had continuously incited people to hatred on social and ethnic grounds. Prosecutors also claimed his online statements had influenced the mass riots that occurred in Kayseri in July 2024.

Court Proceedings and Verdict

At his second hearing in Silivri, Özdağ defended his actions, stating that his social media posts contained no calls for violence. Despite his defense, the court found the prosecution's evidence sufficient to support the charges.

The prosecutor's office had originally sought a much harsher penalty, demanding that Ozdag be imprisoned for up to 7 years and 10 months and requesting that his detention continue throughout the trial process.

However, the court opted for a more lenient approach, factoring in the time already served and ruling that no additional restrictions would be imposed upon his release.

Political Context

The case against Ozdag reflects ongoing tensions between Turkey's government and opposition parties. As leader of the Victory Party, Ozdag has been a vocal critic of the current administration, particularly on social media platforms where much of the alleged incitement was said to have occurred.

The charges of "openly inciting people to hatred and hostility" have become increasingly common in Turkish courts, often applied to opposition figures and critics of the government's policies.

Current Status

With his conditional release, Ozdag returns to political life after nearly five months behind bars. The suspended sentence means he will remain free unless he commits similar offenses during the probationary period.

The Victory Party leader's case highlights the ongoing challenges facing opposition politicians in Turkey, where social media posts and public statements critical of the government frequently result in legal proceedings and detention.