Another investigation has been opened into Turkey’s main opposition leader and Republican People’s Party (CHP) chairman Özgür Özel for comments made towards Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akın Gürlek at a rally in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district. The investigation accuses Özel of ‘insulting and threatening a public official’, similar to an earlier investigation opened into the CHP leader in June.

Authorities said the probe was opened on charges of “insulting a public official” and “making threats.” It follows an earlier case against Özel in which he was accused of threatening Gürlek and insulting him in connection with judicial proceedings.

Gürlek is a high-profile figure in Turkey’s judiciary. He is widely seen by government critics as close to the ruling AK Party, and has presided over controversial trials against opposition politicians and journalists in the past. This marks the second time in two months that prosecutors have brought charges against Özel for the same reason.

The dispute stems from a speech Özel gave in Istanbul last night, during the 50th rally of his party’s “The People Defend Their Will” campaign – a series of weekly rallies held since the detention and the subsequent arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Addressing Gürlek directly, Özel accused the prosecutor of trying to “manufacture........

© Medyascope