13.01.2026 16:14
The second hearing of the case opened with allegations of irregularities at the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP was held. The detained Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu rejected the accusations against him, stating, "It was Kılıçdaroğlu who offered me the chairmanship at the congress." CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik also asked, "If there was indeed a suspicion, why did they wait for 1.5 years?"
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office opened a case following the investigation into allegations regarding the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP held in November 2023. In the case, names such as Ekrem İmamoğlu, Özgür Çelik, Cemil Tugay, and Rıza Akpolat are being tried, while Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is present as a victim.
The indictment claims that during the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress, where İmamoğlu was the chairperson, some delegates were given money, promises of candidacy and jobs were made, market cards were distributed, photographs of ballots were requested, the second round was delayed with misinformation, and delegates' will was directed to ensure Özgür Özel's victory. It is requested that all defendants be punished with up to 3 years in prison for the crime of 'violating election law.'
In the second hearing of the case, where 12 defendants are being tried at the Ankara 26th Criminal Court of First Instance, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was removed from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Presidency, Rıza Akpolat, who was removed from the Beşiktaş Municipality Presidency, and CHP Central Committee member Baki Aydöner participated via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS), while Bursa Osmangazi Mayor Erkan Aydın, Bursa Provincial Chairman Nihat Yeşiltaş, and Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik were present in the courtroom. Other defendants did not attend.
"IT IS EMBARRASSING TO CONSIDER THE STATEMENTS OF SUCH PEOPLE"
In his defense, İmamoğlu stated, "We see that several names presented as so-called witnesses, but who do not actually have the quality of witnesses, are repeatedly brought to the stage. They are tasked with fabricating a new slander against either myself or the party I belong to, and the same scenario, the same memorized statements, are circulated with different case numbers. Why is it not questioned who has memorized these irrational statements and which circles have directed these individuals? This will indeed be questioned when the time comes. How can the independent Turkish judiciary, which is expected to be impartial, declare these individuals as witnesses despite their narratives being unsupported by any material evidence? Look, Your Honor, law is the honor of a country. Placing slander, gossip, and political orders on the scales of justice is not only an attack on values but also a serious assault on the will of the nation and our democracy. It is embarrassing for the prosecution to consider the statements of such individuals. Attempting to make the judiciary a mere actor in these irrational scenarios is not only a legal decay but also a blatant betrayal of the society's sense of justice. I warn everyone involved in this process, which has caused heavy costs to our nation, those who have turned the law into a tool of politics and remained silent about it, do not become a partner in this crime; it is a shame, it is a sin," he said.
"IT WAS KILIÇDAROĞLU WHO PROPOSED THE CHAIRPERSONSHIP"
İmamoğlu stated that the congress process was conducted transparently and in front of everyone within the framework of the party's statutes, relevant legislation, and political ethics rules, saying, "During this process, I have not made any suggestions to the candidates nor have I had any attitude aimed at influencing the will. The election of the chairperson began on the day of the election and ended two days later. The duties of the chairperson are clear. The chairperson is elected by the delegates at the congress and performs their duties. During the process of performing their duties, when the voting time comes, they transfer their duties to the election board, and the election board manages the process. You, esteemed members of the judiciary, know this even better. The person who proposed my candidacy as chairperson at the congress was our previous General Chairman, Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, and we performed our honorable duty by being elected unanimously, which is very valuable to me. The Republican People's Party is the political party that represents intra-party democracy at the highest level in Turkey, from neighborhood congresses to the congress. In this respect, just as the previous 37 congresses were held, the congress was executed in search of how we can do better, and despite being such a competitive and challenging congress, there was not the slightest conflict or unpleasant incident during the congress process. Conducting the 38th congress with serious respect is indeed a great success. Everyone embraced each other and congratulated one another," he said.
İmamoğlu stated, "Contrary to the allegations attributed to me regarding the second round of the congress, the discussions held with Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu, as reflected to the public, do not contain any direction for withdrawal, but rather express a common management regarding the evaluation of the process within the framework of common sense and intra-party practical customs. This situation clearly reveals that there is no evidence for the allegations, and as I just stated, these are indeed claims of such a low level that they can never force this court, you esteemed members of the judiciary. There is no legal or political basis for the narratives constructed later to cast a shadow on this will. For these reasons, we vehemently reject the accusations shaped by slander and fabrications, which lack legal grounds. No scenario has a chance of standing against the truth," he expressed.
ÇELİK: THE FILE CONTENT IS EMPTY
Özgür Çelik, the CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman, also stated in his defense, "I want to ask the question, 'What is the purpose of this trial and why are we here?' We are going through a period where being a member of the CHP is considered a crime. After the CHP became the first party in Turkey, operations, lawsuits, and arrests began. The content of the file is empty and based on slanderous statements. This case is about creating a Turkey without opposition," he said.
"IF THERE IS A SUSPICION, WHY DID THEY WAIT 1.5 YEARS?"
Çelik continued his defense by requesting the acquittal of himself and his friends, using the following statements:
"All the lawsuits opened are after the elections. The dates of the lawsuits clearly reveal everything. If there was a suspicion, why did they wait 1.5 years, why did they apply for candidacy at the congress? If the candidate had not lost the election, would they have been able to make such statements? Why did not a single one of them come out at the congress and say, 'There was fraud'? You are delegates, you can speak. Why did they not speak? I came out and spoke for the candidate I wanted to support. They could have spoken out in the congress hall. The aim is to portray the CHP as quarrelsome, to damage the party's reputation, to throw our presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu into Silivri, to silence Özgür Özel, the General Chairman of the CHP, and the CHP. It is said that all the complainants voted for the candidate against Özgür Özel. If lawsuits are opened based on the statements of those who support the losing parties in political parties, professional organizations, associations, and civil society organizations, and if trustees are appointed, will it not lead the next elections into chaos? All previous elections will also become controversial."
Everyone goes and complains about the elections they lost, saying, 'It happened this way, it happened that way.' All these cases were already rendered moot by the Extraordinary Congress we held afterwards and our congress.
The other defendants also did not accept the accusations in their defenses.