On January 21, Turkish authorities announced the detention of Umit Ozdag, the leader of the far-right Victory Party, on charges of inciting public hatred via social media. His arrest follows a series of inflammatory posts aimed at Turkey's refugee policies, particularly regarding Syrian refugees, which have sparked controversy among political leaders. Ozdag's comments, including a claim that “even crusades had not done as much damage to Turkey as Erdogan has,” led to allegations of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and subsequently inciting unrest.

Ozdag was initially detained on accusations of insulting the president but was later charged specifically with inciting hatred, targeting his statements regarding anti-refugee sentiments. Prosecutors cited eleven posts from his social media account on platform X as evidence. These posts were connected to rising tensions and violence against Syrian refugees, particularly a riot in Kayseri where numerous businesses were attacked last year, according to AP News.

Critics, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and Ozgur Ozel, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), have condemned Ozdag's arrest. Imamoglu remarked that the arrest signifies political interference with the independence of the judiciary, highlighting broader concerns within Turkish politics regarding dissent and free speech. Ozel characterized the situation as a “murder of justice” and a significant threat to democracy and the judicial system. He expressed solidarity with Ozdag, asserting that “arresting him means arresting the people he represents.”

As the political landscape intensifies, Ozdag remains a controversial figure, known for his vehement criticism of Turkey's refugee policies and advocacy for their repatriation. His situation reflects the tensions surrounding Turkey’s significant refugee population and the increasingly polarized political environment wherein freedom of expression and judicial independence are contested. For ongoing developments, refer to Reuters and Al Jazeera.