Politics · Turkey · 1 day ago
Özgür Özel to file defamation complaint and seek 1 million lira in damages
Opposition leader Özgür Özel plans legal action against Emir Sarıgül over claims directed at him.
On Monday, a complaint accusing Sarıgül of defamation is due to be filed with prosecutors.
Özel’s lawyers also plan to seek 1 million lira in non-pecuniary damages over alleged harm to his personal rights.
Party sources say the claims are baseless and that statements Sarıgül made in a separate investigation were wrongly linked to Özel and published in pro-government media.
They allege the claims are part of an effort to damage Özel’s reputation.
Any compensation won would go to public-interest organisations, according to party sources.
The sources say they will take further steps to hold those behind the claims accountable.
YENİ Party leader Özgür Özel plans to file a criminal complaint against Emir Sarıgül over allegations concerning him.
The complaint will accuse Sarıgül of defamation and is scheduled to be filed on Monday.
Özel’s lawyers will also sue for 1 million lira in non-pecuniary damages, citing attacks on his personal rights.
YENİ Party sources called the allegations baseless and said any compensation would be donated to public-interest organizations.
- Who
- Özgür Özel, leader of the YENİ Party, plans to take legal action against Emir Sarıgül.
- What
- Özel plans to file a criminal complaint accusing Sarıgül of defamation and seek 1 million lira in damages.
- When
- The complaint is scheduled for Monday. The article was published on November 7, 2026.
- Where
- The complaint will be filed with the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office; the location is not stated.
- Why
- YENİ Party sources say allegations directed at Özel are baseless and constitute an attack on his personal rights.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Özel’s side plans to file a criminal complaint against Sarıgül with the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Özel’s lawyers also plan to sue for 1 million lira in non-pecuniary damages.
- Complainant
- Özgür Özel
- Person named in complaint
- Emir Sarıgül
- Planned complaint
- Defamation
- Damages sought
- 1 million lira
- Compensation destination
- Public-interest organizations
What people are saying
The person in question giving two statements in an entirely different investigation, both being irrelevant to our party leader, and their publication in the government media show that there is a clear setup here.
Whoever made this slander, whoever had it made, and whoever published it is part of an assassination of reputation.