ANKARA, Turkey: A Turkish far-right politician went on trial Wednesday, facing charges of inciting public hatred—an episode critics see as part of a broader attempt to stifle dissent against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ümit Özdağ, leader of the nationalist Victory Party, was detained in January for allegedly insulting Erdogan during a party meeting in Antalya. He was formally arrested the next day and charged with inciting hatred toward migrants, a charge tied to his controversial rhetoric and his alleged role in sparking anti-Syrian refugee riots in Kayseri in 2024, where hundreds of homes and businesses were attacked.

Prosecutors have submitted social media posts by Özdağ as evidence, and he now faces up to four years in prison if convicted. A 64-year-old former academic, Özdağ is a fierce critic of Turkey's refugee policies and has long advocated for the return of millions of Syrians living in the country.

At the trial's opening session, held in a prison complex on the outskirts of Istanbul, Özdağ defended his statements, acknowledging his stance on repatriation but denying any role in inciting violence. He claimed to have worked to de-escalate tensions in Kayseri and described the case as politically motivated.

"The reason I am standing trial," he told the court, "is because I criticized the government's talks with the PKK terrorist organization's chief."

The Victory Party staunchly opposes negotiations with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S., the U.K., and the European Union. The PKK insurgency has claimed tens of thousands of lives since the 1980s.

Özdağ's lawyers requested additional time to prepare his defense, and the court adjourned the trial until Tuesday.

His trial unfolds against the backdrop of a broader clampdown on opposition figures, particularly those linked to the Republican People's Party (CHP). Officials from CHP-controlled municipalities have been subject to waves of arrests this year. Among them is Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was detained in March over corruption allegations.

Imamoglu is widely regarded as Erdogan's most formidable rival and is expected to be the CHP's presidential candidate. While the next national election is scheduled for 2028, speculation remains that it could be held sooner.

Many Turks see these legal actions as politically charged, a view supported by recent public opinion polls. However, Erdogan's administration maintains that the judiciary operates independently and is free from political pressure.