01.04.2026 13:33
The criminal case opened due to allegations of irregularities at the 38th Ordinary Congress of the Republican People's Party (CHP) has been postponed to May 6.
The trial of 12 defendants, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was suspended from duty due to an ongoing corruption investigation with allegations of irregularities during the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress, continued today at the Ankara 26th Criminal Court of First Instance.
THERE ARE 12 DEFENDANTS IN THE CASE
In the case seen at the Ankara 26th Criminal Court of First Instance, alongside Ekrem İmamoğlu, Özgür Çelik, Cemil Tugay, and various party officials are being tried. The defendants are accused of influencing delegates to vote in exchange for benefits. The prosecution is seeking prison sentences of 1 to 3 years for all defendants for the crime of "manipulating the vote."
THE TRIAL WAS ADJOURNED
During the hearing that started around 10:00 AM, three individuals who had not previously defended themselves presented their defenses. The trial was adjourned to May 6.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PREVIOUS HEARING?
In the previous hearing on February 23, the court had requested the case file to be merged with the "organized crime" case seen 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
In the indictment, former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is listed as a "victim." In his defense, Ekrem İmamoğlu stated that the congress was conducted transparently and mentioned that the proposal for the chairmanship 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 Hatay Metropolitan Mayor 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 lawsuits filed were later combined into a single case.
THE "ABSOLUTE NULLITY" DEBATE TENSED 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 a feeling of being subjected to a great betrayal."
INTERNAL PARTY TENSION GREW
It was claimed that Ankara Metropolitan 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."