09.07.2025 19:30
The chairman of the CHP Istanbul Provincial Organization, Özgür Çelik, gave a statement last night as part of the investigation launched regarding allegations of fraud in the provincial chairmanship elections. In his statement, Çelik reportedly said, "The allegations in question have been made by a person who is currently in custody. As has been the case recently, false and defamatory statements have been used in an attempt to escape from detention."
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An investigation has been launched against CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik regarding allegations of fraud in the CHP Istanbul Provincial Presidency elections by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
STATEMENT GIVEN TO THE POLICE REVEALED As part of the investigation, CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik went to the Istanbul Provincial Police Department yesterday to give a statement. Çelik's statement at the police has emerged.
"I BECAME FAMILIAR WITH HIS NAME WHEN HE WAS DETAINED" Çelik was asked about the statement made by Veli Gümüş, which said, "In August 2023, Özgür Çelik, who was a candidate for the Istanbul Provincial Presidency, called me. He asked me to vote for him in the election." Özgür Çelik responded to the question, saying, "I have never met the person named Veli Gümüş face to face. I had no special acquaintance during the congress period; I made a standard call from the list in front of me because I was a candidate. I became familiar with Veli Gümüş's name when he was detained."
"THE STATEMENTS OF ÇIRAK AND GÜMÜŞ DO NOT REFLECT THE TRUTH" In response to the question regarding Veli Gümüş's statement, "Council Member Fahrettin Çırak offered 100,000 TL per person, saying 'We need to vote for Özgür Çelik,'" Çelik stated, "Veli Gümüş was detained as part of the Beykoz operation, arrested, and an indictment has been prepared against him for over 50 years. Recently, we see those who have been detained trying to escape from prison with various slanders. Veli Gümüş's claims regarding Fahrettin Çırak do not reflect the truth. Fahrettin Çırak is a council member of the Republican People's Party. Veli Gümüş's statements on this matter are nothing but lies and slanders to escape from his detention situation," he said.
"I AM NOT AWARE OF THE CARD DISTRIBUTION ISSUE" In response to the statement made by Tolgahan Erdoğan, who was also questioned in the same investigation, "During the Istanbul Provincial Congress process, food and market cards were distributed to some provincial delegates in support of Özgür Çelik. As far as we heard, food cards worth 15,000 - 20,000 TL were distributed under the conditions of that period. These food cards were generally given to those who were considering voting for Cemal Canpolat, supported by the central headquarters. Because these were done to ensure that these individuals vote for Özgür Çelik, not Cemal Bey," Özgür Çelik replied, "I do not know the person named Tolgahan Erdoğan. I do not find it appropriate to make an assessment based on such rumors. I am not aware of the card distribution or tender issues he mentioned. I think these do not reflect the truth, like his vague statements."
"THE ALLEGATIONS ARE THOSE OF A PERSON CURRENTLY IN CUSTODY" Çelik also stated, "The allegations in question have been made by a person who is currently in custody. As has been the case recently, false and slanderous statements have been made to escape from detention. The person in question is a candidate for management on the list of Cemal Canpolat, with whom we were in competition at the Istanbul Congress. Since he is on the losing list, his statements regarding the Istanbul Congress are not realistic. Moreover, when these allegations about the Istanbul Congress came to the agenda, Mr. Cemal Canpolat, who is on his list, connected live to a television channel and stated that the Istanbul Congress was held in a clean and democratic manner and congratulated me. Additionally, if there had been an offer to him as he stated, he would have spoken about this issue at the Provincial Congress, as he was on the opposing list and the delegates had the right to speak at the congress. I think that making such statements in the environment where he is currently detained, one and a half years after the provincial congress, is an attempt to escape from his situation," it was learned.
"WE WILL CONTINUE OUR STRUGGLE WITH DETERMINATION" Çelik continued his remarks as follows: "These investigations against the Republican People's Party are not independent of the process of the detention of our mayors for 250 days, the detention of our presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, the lawsuits and investigations opened against the Republican People's Party Congress, and the investigations opened against our Chairman Mr. Özgür Özel. The aim is to diminish the image and reputation of the CHP, which is the first party in Turkey and still the first party in all polls, in the eyes of the public, and to stop its march to power. In the face of this situation, we will continue our struggle with determination. We will build a Turkey that is fair, democratic, prosperous, and has achieved social peace."
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