Far-right Turkish politician Ümit Özdağ arrested

Turkish authorities arrested the leader of the far-right Victory Party (Zafer Party), Ümit Özdağ, on charges of inciting violence and hatred through a series of anti-refugee posts on social media, the party confirmed on Tuesday.

Özdağ, 63, who has been an outspoken critic of Turkey’s refugee policies and is known for his calls to repatriate millions of Syrian refugees, was detained by police. His arrest was part of an investigation into allegations that he insulted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a speech delivered a day earlier.

However, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s office released Özdağ from custody on the charges of insulting the president but subsequently ordered his arrest on charges of "inciting hatred and hostility among the public," the party said.

Prosecutors presented 11 of Özdağ's posts on the social media platform X as evidence against him. The prosecutor’s office also held him responsible for anti-Syrian refugee rioting that occurred in the central Turkish province of Kayseri last year, during which hundreds of homes and businesses were attacked. The unrest was allegedly fueled by Özdağ’s inflammatory statements regarding refugees.

Özdağ’s arrest has sparked controversy, with many accusing the government of politically motivated actions.

Ekrem İmamoğlu, the popular mayor of Istanbul, criticized Özdağ’s arrest, claiming that it was an example of “political meddling in the judiciary.” İmamoğlu, who is a member of Turkey’s main opposition party, faces a potential two-year ban from politics if his own conviction for insulting electoral board members is upheld in an appeals court.

Following the arrest, Özdağ was transferred to Silivri prison on the outskirts of Istanbul. In his absence, Mehmet Ali Sehirlioglu, the party's spokesman, will temporarily assume leadership of the Victory Party.

Özdağ’s anti-immigrant rhetoric has drawn significant attention in recent months, especially in the context of rising tensions over Syria's refugee population in Turkey, which has long hosted millions of Syrians fleeing the civil war.

His calls for the repatriation of refugees have struck a chord with nationalist segments of the Turkish population, but his political activities have also led to significant division within the country.

The far-right leader's arrest comes at a time of heightened political tensions as Turkey approaches national elections, with President Erdoğan's government facing increased opposition both from domestic critics and international observers.