Indictment for CHP Congress accepted… Gül Çiftci: ‘We will not bow to this intimidation!’

Hazal Güven - 12punto.com.tr

The indictment prepared by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the Republican People's Party (CHP) 38th Ordinary Congress, held on November 4-5, 2023, has been accepted. The Ankara 26th Criminal Court of First Instance has requested up to 3 years in prison for 12 people, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor and CHP Presidential Candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, on charges of “political bribery.” 

Speaking to 12punto regarding the decision, CHP Deputy Chair responsible for Election and Party Legal Affairs Gül Çiftci stated, “This text is not a legal document; it is an empty, evidence-free, and politically malicious construct. What is targeted with this indictment is not legitimacy, but intimidation. And we will not bow to this intimidation.” 

‘NOT A SINGLE PIECE OF CONCRETE EVIDENCE HAS BEEN PRESENTED’

Pointing out that despite the lengthy description of the investigation process in the indictment, there is not a single piece of concrete evidence to support the accusations, Çiftci said, “Throughout the indictment, the investigation process is described at length, accusatory statements are given wide space, and the file is even padded by including statements regarding individuals against whom no action has been taken. However, not a single piece of concrete evidence is presented to support all these accusations.” 

Çiftci added the following: 

‘A MALICIOUSLY CONSTRUCTED TEXT’

“As a result of the investigation conducted into the Republican People's Party's 38th Ordinary Congress, an indictment has been filed against 12 people, including our Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor, Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu. However, this text is not a legal document; it is an empty, evidence-free, and politically malicious construct.

Throughout the indictment, the investigation process is described at length, accusatory statements are given wide space, and the file is even padded by including statements regarding individuals against whom no action has been taken. However, not a single piece of concrete evidence is presented to support all these accusations.

Correspondence from institutions such as MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board), the Social Security Institution, and the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre has been included in the indictment; however, the fact that none of these institutional letters contain any findings confirming the accusations has been deliberately hidden. For example, while the letter written to MASAK is included, the statement at the end of the report that “no financial findings were made” was not included in the indictment.

‘WE WILL NOT BOW’

In this form, the indictment is null and void in terms of document integrity, evidentiary logic, and legal objectivity. Unfortunately, however, this text, which has nothing to do with the law, has been prepared to be used as a tool of pressure both in court cases and in the media. Although its legal basis is weak, it is intended to be made the basis for political operations.

This attempt is a clear attack on the opposition and the will of the people. It is the instrumentalization of the judiciary to achieve political results. But it should not be forgotten: The Republican People's Party is a party that has always been exonerated in the conscience of the people, at the ballot box, and in the squares. What is targeted with this indictment is not legitimacy, but intimidation. And we will not bow to this intimidation.”

The other individuals for whom prison sentences and a political ban for the duration of the sentence are requested on the grounds that they committed the crime of "rigging a vote" under Article 112 of the Law on Political Parties are as follows: 

• Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu

• Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay

• Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat

• Bursa Osmangazi Mayor Erkan Aydın

• CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik

• CHP Bursa Provincial Chair Nihat Yeşiltaş

• CHP Sancaktepe District Chair Özgen Nama

• CHP Bitlis Provincial Chair Metin Güzelkaya

• CHP Party Assembly Member Baki Aydöner

• CHP Youth Branches Deputy Chair Serhat Can Eş

• Former CHP Mardin Provincial Chair Mehmet Kılınçaslan

• Former CHP Party Assembly Member Hüseyin Yaşar