PodcastProsecutor accuses CHP deputy of insulting Erdoğan by calling him 'a lame duck'
A summary of proceedings was prepared against CHP Group Deputy Chair Özgür Özel for calling Erdoğan "a lame duck" in 2019, when in fact Erdoğan used the same for the CHP a day earlier. Özel said that the prosecutor who accuses him of insulting the president needs to launch an investigation into Erdoğan as well since he used the same phrase against the main opposition.
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Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Group Deputy Chair Özgür Özel is accused of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by calling him "a lame duck."
A summary of proceedings was prepared against Özel for using the phrase in 2019, when in fact Erdoğan used the same for the CHP a day earlier.
Erdoğan on April 3, 2019 used the phrase for the CHP after the March 31, 2019 local elections, in which the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) suffered defeat in Istanbul.
"We have the majority. Now they have turned into lame ducks," Erdoğan said at the time, referring to the fact that AKP was holding majority in Istanbul's municipal council.
CHP's candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu won the elections on March 31, 2019, but the AKP applied to the Supreme Electoral Council (YSK) for the rerun of elections. It then suffered a more decisive defeat, making İmamoğlu the mayor of Istanbul.
Özel on April 4, 2019 responded to Erdoğan's remarks, saying that the biggest "lame duck" is the president himself.
Kurdish politician Mahmut Alınak briefly detained on charges of 'insulting' Erdoğan"If there is a lame duck in Turkey, the biggest one is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan," Özel said.
Commenting on the summary of proceedings, Özel said that the prosecutor has to launch an investigation into Erdoğan for using the same remarks.
"The prosecutor alleges that I have crossed the boundaries of the freedom of expression and criticism and that I hurt the president's honor, dignity and prestige with the phrase 'lame duck.' If the prosecutor stands by his summary of proceedings, then he is obliged to launch an investigation into Erdoğan for insulting our mayors," Özel said on Oct. 19.
Saying that the opposition is being tried to be intimidated through summary of proceedings, Özel noted that the CHP "has no intention to be silent."
"We will continue to speak what we believe is the truth," he said.
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