Investigation Completed Into CHP’s 38th Ordinary Congress
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has finalized its investigation into the Republican People’s Party (CHP) following the election of Özgür Özel as its new leader during the party’s 38th Ordinary Congress . An indictment has been filed against 12 suspects, including *Ekrem İmamoğlu*, the imprisoned Mayor of Istanbul, *Cemil Tugay*, the Mayor of Izmir, and *Rıza Akpolat*, the Mayor of Beşiktaş. The indictment also includes the Istanbul Provincial President of CHP, *Özgür Çelik*, and the Erzurum Provincial President, *Serhat Can Eş*. The suspects are accused of violating the Political Parties Law , facing up to three years in prison each, on grounds of alleged electoral fraud during the voting.
The indictment claims that during the congress, there were organized efforts to persuade delegates supporting former leader *Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu* to back Özgür Özel through various incentives and promises. This investigation commenced based on statements made by CHP delegates, party council members, and party affiliates regarding discrepancies in votes.
Separation of Files for Members of Parliament
Details in the indictment reveal that during the investigation of alleged fraudulent activities at the congress, the files related to certain individuals identified as suspects who were members of the 28th Parliamentary Term were separated on May 12, 2025. A new file has been registered under investigation number 2025/113602 by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Additional Suspects and Ongoing Investigations
Furthermore, other suspects also had their cases divided, indicating that besides the current indictment, another investigation is underway concerning distinct accusations against additional involved parties.
Kılıçdaroğlu and Savaş’s Unique Roles
The indictment notes that Kılıçdaroğlu was invited to testify as a victim through his lawyer; however, he did not appear to provide his statement to the prosecutor’s office. Conversely, former Hatay Mayor *Lütfü Savaş* has formally filed a complaint as a claimant. Among the accused are significant party members including *Baki Aydöner*, *Ekrem İmamoğlu*, *Cemil Tugay*, *Erkan Aydın*, *Hüseyin Yaşar*, *Mehmet Kılınçaslan*, *Metin Güzelkaya*, *Nihat Yeşiltaş*, *Özgen Nama*, *Özgür Çelik*, *Rıza Akpolat*, and *Serhat Can Eş*.
Imamoğlu’s Response to Accusations
Imamoğlu, who served as the Chairman of the Congress , reportedly did not provide a detailed defense during his interrogation on May 2, 2025. The indictment notes that he generally denied the allegations and asserted his innocence without elaboration.
Accusations of Tampering with Delegate Votes
The indictment comprises assessments of evidence, detailing how certain actions obstructed legitimate voting at the congress. Several allegations state that the accused engaged in acts to corrupt the will of delegates by manipulating the electoral process:
- It is alleged the accused provided money to some delegates and promised municipal candidacies in various localities.
- Delegates and their family members reportedly received job placements within CHP-affiliated municipalities and organizations.
- Numerous grocery shopping cards were said to have been distributed among delegates and their acquaintances.
- Delegates were purportedly requested to send photographic proof of their cast votes through their mobile phones.
- The voting results were reportedly manipulated to influence the timeline regarding Kılıçdaroğlu’s withdrawal from the candidacy.
Collusion to Favor Özel’s Leadership Bid
According to the evidence, the suspects are accused of collaborating actively to manipulate the votes in favor of Özgür Özel, facilitating a systemic breach of democratic principles within the party’s internal elections. This collaborative effort is posited as a collective action undermining the integrity of delegates’ free will in the electoral process.
The indictment demands that the suspects be prosecuted under relevant articles of law commensurate with their actions, alongside invoking security measures prescribed in article 53 of the Turkish Penal Code. This reflects the seriousness with which the Turkish judicial system views attempts to compromise electoral integrity and democratic processes within political entities.
This situation places the CHP, a major political party in Turkey, under scrutiny, highlighting significant issues of transparency and ethical practices within its organizational structure. The implications of this investigation could have a lasting impact on the party’s reputation and electoral future.