Turkey: Prosecution Investigation Launched Against Opposition Leader Over Threatening Prosecutor

The statements of Özgür Özel, the leader of Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), have come under scrutiny. It is alleged that during a rally in Istanbul, he threatened the chief prosecutor. An independent prosecution investigation has been initiated against CHP’s president on charges of threatening a judicial officer with the intent to obstruct their duties and publicly insulting a public official. According to an announcement by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, “An ex officio investigation has been launched against CHP President Özgür Özel for ‘threatening a judicial officer with the aim of preventing them from performing their duties’ and ‘publicly insulting a public official while performing their duties.’” The incident occurred at a CHP rally in the Gaziosmanpaşa district of Istanbul when Özel made harsh remarks against Akın Gürlek, the head of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, regarding the arrest of five CHP mayors as part of the expanded indictment in the corruption case against imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. During his speech, Özel addressed Gürlek directly, warning him not to provoke further action. The 43-year-old Gürlek, who initially served as a judge before becoming a prosecutor, played a significant role in major trials targeting opposition figures, including the conviction of HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş and prosecutions against İmamoğlu and other CHP mayors. Turkish Justice Minister Cahit Tunç described Özel’s comments as unacceptable, stating they represent a threat to the judiciary and an open attack on the rule of law.