Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel placed under formal investigation
Ankara's chief prosecutor has opened a formal investigation into Ozgur Ozel, leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). The decision follows recent rally speeches in which Ozel directly named judicial officials. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek defended the move as a response to a 'politics of slander.'
Ankara's chief prosecutor has opened a formal investigation into Ozgur Ozel, leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), citing 'criminal statements directed at members of the judiciary.' The move follows recent rally speeches in Anatolian cities in which Ozel named justice ministry officials and senior judges by name.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek called the decision 'a legal response to a politics of slander.' CHP rejected the probe as 'political pressure' and said Ozel is shielded by parliamentary immunity. Analysts see it as the second major judicial step against the opposition since the prosecution of Istanbul mayor Imamoglu.
The news sharpened the political mood in Turkey. The Borsa Istanbul benchmark dropped as much as 800 points intraday and the Turkish lira saw heavier swings against the dollar. A European Parliament spokesperson said Brussels was 'closely following' the development.
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