04.09.2025 14:49
The Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance, which is handling the case filed for the cancellation of the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress held on November 4-5, 2023, requested the relevant courts to send the legal and criminal case files related to the 38th Istanbul Provincial Congress.
The Istanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance decided on October 8, 2023, to temporarily suspend the duties of the Provincial Chairman, the main and substitute members of the Provincial Board of Directors, and the main and substitute members of the Provincial Disciplinary Board, as stated in the decision of the Sarıyer 1st District Election Board, who were elected at the 38th Ordinary Istanbul Provincial Congress of the Republican People's Party (CHP).
The Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance requested files from the Istanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance and the Istanbul 72nd Criminal Court of First Instance, which is handling the case opened due to irregularities at the CHP 38th Istanbul Provincial Congress.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In the case opened for the annulment of the CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress held on October 8, 2023, the court decided to suspend the duties of CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik and the administration with an interim decision. The CHP appealed the court's decision.
According to the court's decision, a committee consisting of Gürsel Tekin, Zeki Şen, Hasan Babacan, Müjdat Gürbüz, and Erkan Narsap was appointed to the Istanbul Provincial Chairmanship. The court also decided to temporarily suspend 196 delegates from their duties and to halt the current congress process.
CHP REQUESTED GÜRSEL TEKİN'S DEFENSE
Immediately after the removal of the CHP Istanbul administration, former CHP Secretary-General Gürsel Tekin stated that he accepted the position. Following this statement, it was revealed that Tekin had resigned from the CHP some time ago, and it was claimed that he was not a member of the party.
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel stated that a decision was made to expel Tekin from the party. After the expulsion decision, Tekin appealed this decision, stating that he did not accept the decision taken without being given the right to defense. The CHP High Disciplinary Board requested a defense from Gürsel Tekin. Tekin has 15 days to respond. Tekin, who can provide both verbal and written defenses, also had his party activities suspended.
AN INDICTMENT HAD BEEN PREPARED
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office prepared an indictment against 10 suspects, including CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik, suspended Beyoğlu Mayor İnan Güney, and former Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat, on the charge of "manipulating the vote" as stated in Article 112 of the Law on Political Parties No. 2820. The Istanbul 72nd Criminal Court of First Instance accepted the indictment and set a date for January 6.
THE EYES ARE ON SEPTEMBER 15: SIMILAR ALLEGATIONS ON THE AGENDA
In the indictment of the congress case to be heard on September 15, it was alleged that Ekrem İmamoğlu, who served as the Chairman of the Congress at the CHP 38th Ordinary Congress held on November 4-5, 2023, and other suspects acted together and engaged in various irregular activities towards some delegates who voted at the congress. In this context, it was claimed that some delegates were given money, while others were offered candidacies for mayorship or municipal council membership in different provinces and districts.
The indictment also alleged that some delegates and their relatives were hired by CHP municipalities and companies or affiliates related to these municipalities, and that some delegates were distributed shopping cards for grocery shopping.
IS KEMAL KILIÇDAROĞLU RETURNING?
After all these developments, legal experts claim that the case regarding the CHP Grand Congress to be held on September 15 will also conclude in a similar manner. Additionally, in the decision regarding the Istanbul Provincial Congress, the delegate status of 196 delegates who voted at the Grand Congress was canceled. It was alleged that these delegates, whose will was changed in exchange for material benefits, voted at the Grand Congress. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu lost the election by 18 votes. In this situation, legal experts suggest that Kılıçdaroğlu will return to the position of chairman.
"AT A LEVEL THAT WILL AFFECT EACH OTHER"
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated in a statement today, "There are allegations that delegates were influenced by material benefits at the congress. There is a precautionary decision given by the court on the grounds that proof is required. There are ongoing cases in Istanbul and Ankara. Both cases are at a level that will affect each other."
CHP CONGRESS CASE
An investigation into irregularities was initiated by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress held on November 4-5, 2023. Former Hatay Mayor Lütfü Savaş and some delegates filed separate lawsuits in different courts for the annulment of the CHP's congress on November 4-5, 2023.
The annulment cases filed were consolidated in the file at the Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance. In the hearing on June 30, the court decided to wait for the outcome of the objection to the decision of lack of jurisdiction in the criminal proceedings, and postponed the hearing to September 8. CHP lawyers stated that September 4-9 is the founding week of the CHP and that activities will be held on these dates in accordance with Article 86 of the party's statute, requesting the postponement of the hearing on September 8. The court found the request reasonable and decided to hold the hearing on September 15.
21ST EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS
As part of the corruption investigation initiated on March 19, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested. After İmamoğlu's arrest, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel announced that he had received information that a trustee would be appointed to the party and that he would take the CHP to an extraordinary congress on April 6, 2025, to prevent the trustee. In the extraordinary congress held on April 6 against the possibility of a trustee, Özgür Özel was re-elected as chairman, receiving 1,171 of the 1,276 votes as the sole candidate.