13.01.2026 16:42
An interim decision was made in the case opened against the CHP for allegations of irregularities during its 38th Ordinary Congress. The trial, in which names such as Ekrem İmamoğlu, Özgür Çelik, Cemil Tugay, and Rıza Akpolat are being prosecuted, has been postponed to February 23, with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu participating as a victim.
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 prosecuted, while Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is present as a victim.
The indictment claims that during the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress, where İmamoğlu was the chair, 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 sentenced to up to 3 years in prison for the crime of 'violating election law.'
INTERIM DECISION IN THE CASE
An interim decision was announced in the case opened against 12 people, including Ekrem İmamoğlu. The court ruled to await responses to the letters sent to municipalities and accepted Lütfü Savaş's request to participate. The next hearing will be held on February 23 at 09:00.
In the second hearing of the case being heard at the Ankara 26th Criminal Court, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was removed from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Rıza Akpolat, who was removed from the Beşiktaş Municipality, and CHP Party Council 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. The 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 status of witnesses, are repeatedly brought to the forefront. They are tasked with fabricating new slanders against me or the party I belong to, and the same scenario, the same script, is circulated with different file 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 disgraceful for the prosecution to consider the statements of such individuals. Attempting to make the judiciary a pawn 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 cost our nation dearly, those who have turned the law into a tool of politics and remained silent about it, do not become partners in this crime; it is a shame, it is a sin," he said.
"IT WAS KILIÇDAROĞLU WHO PROPOSED THE CHAIRMANSHIP"
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 chair began on the day of the election and ended two days later. The duties of the chair are clear. The chair 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 hand over 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 the chair of the congress was our previous General Chairman, Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, and we performed this 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 itself. 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 great respect is indeed a significant achievement. Everyone embraced each other and congratulated one another," he said.
İmamoğlu added, "Contrary to the allegations attributed to me regarding the second round of the congress, the discussions 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 that cannot force this court, you esteemed members of the judiciary, to comply. The narratives later constructed to cast a shadow on this will have neither legal nor political validity. 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 stated.
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, stating:
"All the cases 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 come out and spoken in the congress hall. The aim is to portray the CHP as contentious, to damage the party's reputation, to throw our presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu into Silivri, and to silence CHP General Chairman Özgür Özel and the CHP. It is said that all the complainants voted for the candidate against Özgür Özel.
If lawsuits are filed with these statements in political parties, professional organizations, associations, and civil society organizations supporting those who have lost, and if trustees are appointed, won't this lead the upcoming elections into chaos? All previous elections will also become controversial. Everyone will go and complain, saying, 'It happened this way, it happened that way' about the elections they lost. All these lawsuits have already become irrelevant with the Extraordinary Congress we held afterwards and our congress."
The other defendants also denied the accusations in their defenses.