İsmail Saymaz gives testimony in CHP convention investigation

The investigation launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the CHP's 38th Ordinary Convention, held on November 4-5, 2023, is ongoing.

As part of the investigation initiated over allegations of "vote-buying," journalist İsmail Saymaz and academic Can Kakışım gave testimony in the capacity of "suspects."

In his testimony taken at his residence, Saymaz stated that he has been a journalist for 25 years, has authored 15 books, and currently works as a writer and commentator for Halk TV.

İsmail Saymaz said, "The allegation that irregularities were committed to influence the outcome at the CHP's 38th Ordinary Convention was raised after the convention. No such allegation or accusation was brought up before the convention. I have no personal knowledge or information regarding this."

Saymaz stated that neither he nor any of his relatives were placed in jobs at CHP-run municipalities before or after the convention.

Refuting witness statements claiming that he produced news in exchange for financial gain from CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and Ekrem İmamoğlu, and that he spread disinformation regarding Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu withdrawing from the candidacy, Saymaz emphasized that all allegations were slander. Saymaz underlined that the witnesses were prompted by certain political circles in exchange for benefits.

Saymaz continued his statement as follows:

"I was on a live broadcast on Sözcü TV on the day of the convention. While the convention was ongoing, a message arrived on the phone of journalist Altan Sancar, who was on the broadcast with me, stating that Kılıçdaroğlu had withdrawn. Sancar reported this on air. During the broadcast, I called Bülent Kuşoğlu, who is the person closest to Kılıçdaroğlu, to ask about this claim. Kuşoğlu replied to me, 'Yes, he has withdrawn. He is withdrawing.' I shared this response on the live broadcast and posted it on Twitter.

Kuşoğlu later called me again and stated that Kılıçdaroğlu could participate in the voting. I shared this information on the broadcast and wrote it on Twitter, citing Kuşoğlu as the reference. Meanwhile, in footage that circulated after the convention, it could be seen that Kılıçdaroğlu was hesitant about whether or not to be a candidate in the second round that night and that those around him were persuading him to be a candidate. I was performing my journalistic duty and informing the public."

Stating that the investigation is based on the accusation of acting in favor of Özgür Özel and Ekrem İmamoğlu to play a role in removing Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu from the chairmanship by obtaining benefits from them, Saymaz said, "If I had really caused Kılıçdaroğlu to lose the convention through such a relationship of interest, he would have been the first to believe it. However, Kılıçdaroğlu does not believe this allegation either. Because he visited me at my home on April 17, during a period when I was under house arrest due to another investigation."

İsmail Saymaz requested that a decision of "non-prosecution" be issued regarding him.

"I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR MY PARTY AND MY COUNTRY"

Suspect Can Kakışım also stated that he has been a CHP member since 2015 and, as an academic working in the field of political science, has participated in many programs on various television channels.

Arguing that he has no information regarding the allegations that benefits were provided to some party representatives and that irregularities were committed during the 38th Ordinary Convention in Ankara, Kakışım stated that he is a CHP member but not a delegate and has not served on party boards.

Refuting the allegations in witness statements that "people like Can Kakışım, who are owners of research companies and commentators on television, received significant funds through the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the CHP headquarters, and in return, tried to influence the convention process on television," Kakışım said, "I did not receive any funds from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality or through the CHP Headquarters. I thought that Özgür Özel becoming the chairman at the Republican People's Party convention would be better for my party and my country, and I shared my free opinions in this direction with the public."

Refuting the witness statements that he influenced the convention process by receiving financial support from IBB companies, Kakışım made the following statement:

"There is no money given to me through Istanbul Medya AŞ, nor, as I have stated, through the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the CHP Headquarters, or any similar institution. My account movements have been examined within the scope of the investigation, and it is established that no such increase has occurred in either my bank accounts or my assets.

There is not even a criminal charge against me, let alone a suspicion of a crime. Although my name has been mentioned in two statements as an opinion or hearsay solely for the purpose of discrediting me, I have no actions that would require an investigation. My only connection with the Republican People's Party convention is that I made comments on television channels about this issue, just like many other topics. For this reason, since there is not even a real criminal charge against me, I request that a decision of non-prosecution be issued regarding me."

News Source: AA