Erdogan Files Lawsuit for Over $13,000

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has filed a lawsuit against the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Ozgur Ozel, seeking over $13,000 in damages. This was reported by Erdogan's lawyer, Huseyin Aydin.

“Due to the baseless accusations made by CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel at the extraordinary congress and the use of terms such as ‘junta’ and other offensive expressions, a lawsuit has been filed in Ankara's First Instance Civil Court for 500,000 Turkish lira (more than $13,000) in non-material damages. Furthermore, a criminal complaint has been submitted to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for insulting the President,” the lawyer announced on social media.

On April 6, the Republican People's Party held its 21st congress in the capital city of Ankara, where Ozel was re-elected as the party's president. During his speech at the congress, he stated that all surveys conducted in the republic indicate that they are the “first party” in Turkey. The politician accused the authorities of using force against their rivals, referring to Erdogan's administration as a “junta regime.”