17.04.2025 19:05
In the investigation regarding the allegations of 'votes being bought' at the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress, former Deputy Chairman of the CHP Youth Branch, Muzaffer Emir Cömert, gave a statement as a 'suspect.' Cömert stated that Özgür Özel had previously confessed that Mustafa Erdoğdu, who was the manager of his election office, had '2 million dollars hidden under the sofa to be distributed to the delegates.'
Former CHP Youth Branch Deputy Chairman Muzaffer Emir Cömert gave a statement as a 'suspect' in the investigation regarding allegations of "vote buying" during the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress held on November 4-5, 2023.
"WE TRIED TO PERSUADE ONE BY ONE" Cömert stated in his testimony to the prosecutor that he was a candidate for CHP İzmir Deputy and Selçuk Mayor in 2015, and that he is still actively involved in politics within the CHP. He explained that he participated in efforts to support Özgür Özel during the 38th Ordinary Congress and mentioned that he went to Erzurum before the congress to try to persuade the delegates in favor of Özel.
Former CHP Youth Branch Deputy Chairman Muzaffer Emir Cömert Cömert recorded the following in his statement: "We were with Ankara deputy Umut Akdoğan and then-Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Council member Berkay Gökçınar. Umut Akdoğan was the head of our team. First, we went to the Erzurum provincial headquarters. There, deputy Umut Akdoğan made a press statement regarding the current agenda. At that time, we tried to persuade the congress delegates gathered at the provincial building one by one to vote in favor of Özgür Özel. Then, under the leadership of Umut Akdoğan, we all went to a cağ kebab restaurant in Erzurum with the provincial chairman and delegates. We talked for a long time there, trying to convince the delegates to vote for Özgür Özel. Later, Umut Akdoğan and Erzurum Provincial Chairman Serhat Can Eş took another car to the airport. We also set off in another vehicle with the other delegates. When we later asked Umut Akdoğan what the situation was, he told us, 'The Erzurum issue has been resolved, we convinced them.'
"YOU GAVE MONEY TO THE PROVINCIAL CHAIRMAN TO SUPPORT ÖZGÜR ÖZEL" Cömert, who stated that he stayed at a hotel in Ankara during the congress period, said, "A few days before the congress, the Erzurum delegates also came to this hotel. One of the Erzurum congress delegates, Yusuf Gögerkaya, asked me, 'You gave money to our provincial chairman Serhat Can Eş to support Özgür Özel.' I told him that I had no information about this matter and that he should ask the provincial chairmen."
"THERE WAS 2 MILLION DOLLARS SENT TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO DELEGATES UNDER A SOFA" Cömert explained that the Erzurum congress delegates went to the provincial chairman Eş and then went to pick up Yusuf Gögerkaya, who called him. He continued his statement: "When I went to where he was, he had a suit and a shoe bag in his hand. When I asked him, 'What are these?' he said, 'A gift from Provincial Chairman Serhat Can Eş.' When I returned to the hotel, I saw that 3-4 other Erzurum congress delegates, whose names I couldn't remember, also had the same suit and shoe bags in their hands. The provincial chairman of Erzurum had given these gifts to them. The day before the congress, when I asked Yusuf Gögerkaya, 'Did the Erzurum provincial chairman really receive money?' he replied, 'Yes, he did, but we heard it was a very large amount; what he gave us was 1000-1500 dollars. I won't spend this money; I'll keep it, so it doesn't become a problem for me.' At that time, my friend Mustafa Erdoğdu was with me. Mustafa Erdoğdu is someone I have known for 20 years, whom I call brother. He was the former General Chairman of the Social Democratic People's Party (SHP) Youth Branch. He later joined the CHP. He was the manager of Özgür Özel's campaign office. He was responsible for the expenses and expenditures of the campaign office. I know that the expenses for the campaign office were collected from the deputies and given to Mustafa Erdoğdu by Ankara Deputy Umut Akdoğan. When I was in Ankara, I used to stay at Mustafa Erdoğdu's house. I don't know if Mustafa Erdoğdu spent the money he received to persuade the delegates. However, I know that he was given money for office expenses. Mustafa Erdoğdu, in a crowded conversation where I was also present, said, 'Emir, who is staying with me, has no idea. Under the sofa where Emir sleeps in my house, there was 2 million dollars sent from Istanbul to be distributed to the congress delegates.' Emir has no idea,' he said. However, I considered this matter as a casually spoken remark. I did not believe such a thing."
"THERE WERE PHOTOS OF VOTE BALLOTS ON THE DELEGATES' PHONES" Cömert reported that he heard that the Erzurum delegates were asked to take a photo of the vote ballot they cast in favor of Özel on the day of the congress and send it. He later added that he personally saw the photos of the ballots marked in favor of Özel on the delegates' phones. Cömert claimed that he did not gain any benefit from these events at that time and stated that he only participated in party activities in favor of Özel.
Cömert requested a decision of "no grounds for prosecution" regarding himself.