03.06.2026 20:20
There has been a significant development in two separate investigations concerning Özgür Özel, who was removed from his position as Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), and Malatya Deputy Veli Ağbaba. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued a decision of lack of jurisdiction in files regarding allegations of a 'delegate stock exchange' being established at the 38th Ordinary Congress and bribery claims during the candidacy process for the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor. As the suspects are members of parliament, the prepared investigation files were sent to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
The Organized Crimes Investigation Office of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has completed its review of two separate investigation files concerning Özgür Özel, who was suspended from his position as Chairperson of the CHP, and CHP Malatya Deputy Veli Ağbaba.
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, citing the current parliamentary identities of the suspects in both files, issued a decision of lack of jurisdiction and forwarded the files to the capital.
FILE 1: ALLEGATIONS OF "ELECTION FRAUD AND DELEGATE BARGAINING" AT THE CONGRESS
In the first file numbered 2026/102232 of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the CHP 38th Ordinary Congress held in Ankara on November 4-5, 2023, was scrutinized. The investigation evaluated allegations that the will of the delegates was influenced by promises of jobs, money, and political positions, that delegate bargaining occurred in the congress hall, and that the crime of "Violation of the Political Parties Law No. 2820" was committed by rigging the chairperson election.
Critical evidence and statements in the file are as follows:
- Statements of Turgut Koç: Koç, who stated that despite having no official role within the party, he contacted delegates in favor of Özgür Özel during the congress process, reported that money was transferred to Etimesgut delegates Özkan Deniz and İbrahim Şahin, and that promises of mayoral candidacy and internal party positions were being made freely.
- Confessions of Özkan Yalım: Yalım, who said he called approximately 700 delegates in 40 provinces by phone to collect 115 signatures of support for Özgür Özel, stated that he relayed delegates' requests for their relatives to be hired in municipalities to party officials. Yalım also confessed to giving Özgür Özel 1 million TL in cash for congress expenses and delivering this money to Demirhan Gözaçan.
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that it was concluded that the delegates' requests were directed to the Election Coordination Center under Veli Ağbaba's responsibility, and that Özel and Ağbaba, not directly but through individuals close to them, corrupted the will of the delegates with offers of material gain and positions.
FILE 2: ALLEGATIONS OF "BRIBERY" FOR ANTALYA CANDIDACY
In the second file of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the alleged money flow during the process of re-nominating Muhittin Böcek as the candidate for Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor in the 2024 local elections was examined. The file, supported by witness statements, HTS/base station records, and statements from family members, outlined a bribery network.
- "Round it up to 1 million Euros and bring it": In his statement, Muhittin Böcek's son Mustafa Gökhan Böcek said that Veli Ağbaba contacted him via internet-based applications and, on the instruction of Özgür Özel, first demanded 30 million TL in return for his father's candidacy. It was stated that when this amount was equivalent to around 900 thousand Euros, Ağbaba said, "Round it up to 1 million Euros and bring it."
- Delivered the money at the Headquarters: Mustafa Gökhan Böcek stated that he collected the money from business people in Antalya and hand-delivered it on January 10, 2024, on the 6th floor of the CHP Headquarters in Ankara, to a person directed by Veli Ağbaba (later identified as Emre Caner). He stated that during the delivery, the individual called Ağbaba to confirm, asking, "Should I leave the 1 million Euros with this person?"
- Additional payment of 200 thousand dollars for the launch: It was stated that after the candidacy was announced, Veli Ağbaba demanded an additional 7-8 million TL in cash for the election launch process in Antalya, and Gökhan Böcek then delivered an additional 200 thousand dollars to a person in Özgür Özel's team.
- Wife's statements in the file: Muhittin Böcek's wife, Zuhal Böcek, also confirmed in her statement that her son Gökhan told her that Veli Ağbaba demanded money on behalf of Özgür Özel for his father's candidacy, that she personally took her son to the headquarters during the Ankara trip, and that her son complained when the candidacy was delayed, saying, "We gave that much money and it's still not announced."
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office noted that it was concluded that Özgür Özel, through Veli Ağbaba, demanded 1 million Euros and 200 thousand Dollars in return for nominating Muhittin Böcek, and that this bribe money was delivered to designated individuals.
FILES SENT TO ANKARA DUE TO PARLIAMENTARY IMMUNITY
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office ruled that, pursuant to Article 161/9 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CMK) No. 5271, the authority to conduct the investigation belongs to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, since Özgür Özel and Veli Ağbaba, named in both files, are currently members of parliament.
The two investigation files for which a lack of jurisdiction decision was issued were sent to the Parliamentary Crimes Investigation Office of the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for necessary action.