01.04.2026 10:53
In the case opened regarding the allegations of irregularities in the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP, 12 defendants, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, will appear before the judge again today. The trial, in which Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is present as a "victim," will be held today at the Ankara 26th Criminal Court of First Instance.
The critical day has arrived in the criminal case opened with the allegation of irregularities at the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP. Twelve defendants, including the suspended Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, will appear before the judge today in Ankara.
12 DEFENDANTS IN COURT
In the case heard at the Ankara 26th Criminal Court, in addition to Ekrem İmamoğlu, Özgür Çelik, Cemil Tugay, and various party officials are being tried. The defendants are accused of having delegates vote in exchange for benefits. The prosecution is seeking prison sentences of 1 to 3 years for all defendants on the charge of "manipulating the vote."
REQUEST FOR CONSOLIDATION REJECTED
At the previous hearing on February 23, the court had requested the case to be consolidated with the "organized crime" case being heard in Istanbul. However, the Istanbul 40th Heavy Penal Court rejected this request. Thus, the trial process in Ankara continued separately.
KILIÇDAROĞLU IS A VICTIM IN THE CASE
The indictment includes former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as a "victim." In his defense, Ekrem İmamoğlu stated that the congress was conducted transparently and mentioned that the proposal for the presidency of the council came from Kılıçdaroğlu. The application of Lütfü Savaş, who requested to join the case, was also accepted by the court.
BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS AND ALLEGATIONS
The basis of the case is formed by the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress held on November 4-5, 2023. Former Mayor of Hatay, Lütfü Savaş, and some delegates claimed that irregularities occurred during the congress. Allegations suggest that the votes of some delegates were directed in exchange for bribes. The opened cases were later consolidated into a single file.
“ABSOLUTE NULLITY” DEBATE TENSES POLITICS
The plaintiffs are requesting that the congress be declared invalid under the scope of "absolute nullity" and that former chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu be reinstated. This debate has led to serious disagreements within the party.
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel stated that accepting such a position would be a "historical mistake." Ekrem İmamoğlu reacted strongly to Kılıçdaroğlu's possible return, saying, "I am faced with the feeling of being subjected to a great betrayal."
INTERNAL PARTY TENSION ESCALATED
It has been claimed that Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş also reacted to the process. It was alleged that during a meeting with Kılıçdaroğlu, Yavaş stated, "If politics is done this way, the party will split."