Özgür Çelik appears in court

CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik and CHP Youth Branch Chair Erdem Kara are set to present their defense today in the case heard at the Istanbul 18th Criminal Court of First Instance. The hearing began at 10:00 AM and was moved to the 27th High Criminal Court courtroom due to high attendance.

CHP LEADER AT THE HEARING

According to Cumhuriyet, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel arrived at the courthouse to observe the hearing. Özel was accompanied by figures such as CHP Diyarbakır MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan. Before the hearing, the delegation met in the Istanbul Bar Association room.

CALL FOR SUPPORT FROM THE PARTY

The CHP Istanbul Provincial Organization issued a call for provincial executives and youth branch members to attend the hearing. In a statement released by the party, it was stated, "We are at Çağlayan for our Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik and our other executives."

WHAT HAPPENED?

On January 31, tensions arose during the arrival of CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu—who was being held in Silivri—at the Istanbul Courthouse to provide testimony. The CHP bus was prevented from approaching the front of the courthouse, and police used pepper spray on the crowd. Following these events, Özgür Çelik and several other individuals provided statements.

In the indictment prepared regarding the incident, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office leveled charges against 26 people, including Özgür Çelik, for "resisting to prevent the performance of duty," "participating in unlawful meetings and marches," "intentional injury," and "damaging public property." Prison sentences ranging from 3 years and 11 months to 17 years are being requested for the defendants.

News Source: 12punto