Turkiye's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel has filed a lawsuit against Emir Sarigul, the son of former Erzincan MP Mustafa Sarigul.

Axar.az reports, citing Turkish media, that the CHP announced the move in a statement.

According to the statement, Ozel is seeking 1 million Turkish liras in non-pecuniary damages, accusing Emir Sarigul of defamation and violating his personal rights.

“During an entirely separate investigation, the individual made two separate statements targeting our chairman, which were subsequently published by pro-government media. This clearly shows that the allegations were part of a pre-arranged plot. Those who made these defamatory claims, instigated them and disseminated them are all accomplices in an assassination of character. We will take all necessary steps to ensure that those behind this smear campaign targeting the leader of the main opposition party are held accountable,” the statement said.

It should be noted that, during an investigation launched into the Sarıgül family, Emir Sarigul claimed in his testimony that his father, Mustafa Sarigul, had given a substantial amount of money to Ozgur Ozel.