Interim ruling in the CHP 'money counting' footage case

The trial of 22 defendants, including former CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu, IMM Sports Club President Fatih Keleş, İmamoğlu Construction Company General Manager Tuncay Yılmaz, former Şişli Mayor Muammer Keskin, and former Maltepe Mayor Ali Kılıç, continued regarding the 'money counting' footage allegedly filmed at the Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul Provincial Headquarters.

15 non-detained defendants and their lawyers were present at the hearing held at the Istanbul 59th Criminal Court of First Instance.

HE STATED HE WAS INNOCENT AND REQUESTED ACQUITTAL

In his defense at the hearing, former Şişli Mayor Muammer Keskin stated that they had contributed to the 'put in a brick yourself' campaign launched by the Istanbul Provincial Headquarters at that time, that he was innocent, and requested his acquittal.

''I MADE THE DONATION DIRECTLY THROUGH THE CHAIR''

Defendant Ahmet Özdemir stated in his defense that he was a CHP member and said, ''I contributed to the process of purchasing the CHP Istanbul Provincial Building. I made the donation directly through the chair; I handed it to Muammer Keskin. I did not make the donation through the party. I am innocent and I request my acquittal.''

Defendant Turgay Özcan, who also presented his defense, stated that he was serving as the Küçükçekmece District Chair at that time and said, ''I supported our party's 'put in a brick yourself' campaign. Within the framework of the campaign, I deposited money into the party's bank account as a volunteer member of the party organizations. I am innocent, I request my acquittal.''

The lawyers for defendant Canan Kaftancıoğlu stated that their client was abroad and requested that her excuse be accepted, and asked for the missing issues to be resolved. They also requested a stay of proceedings for the case.

HEARING ADJOURNED

Announcing its interim ruling, the court decided to make a decision regarding the stay of proceedings after all defenses are taken and to resolve the missing issues, and adjourned the hearing.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

The indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that donations were made to the 'Put in a Brick Yourself' donation campaign launched by the CHP in 2019 in a manner contrary to the procedure specified in the law, and that these donations were collected, accepted, and delivered to the seller or ensured to be delivered in a manner contrary to the law. The indictment stated that 14 properties in the Sarıyer Ayazağa Neighborhood C Block were sold to the CHP by Ali Rıza Braka, an official of the SEAS Livestock company, on December 11, 2019, and that the money in the footage belonged to this sale. It was noted that the 14 independent units were registered in the name of the CHP for a price of 24 million 369 thousand liras.

In the prepared indictment, it was recorded that the amount of money used during the purchase of the party building and counted in cash and delivered by hand was 15 million 510 thousand liras, and also, according to the report of the Sarıyer Land Registry Office, a 'Real Estate Sales Promise Agreement in the Form of Regulation' was drawn up between Ali Rıza Braka and Canan Kaftancıoğlu on behalf of the CHP at the Beyoğlu 3rd Notary Public on November 6, 2019, that the total purchase price of the 14 independent units was shown as 24 million 360 thousand liras in this agreement, and that the 14 independent units were registered in the name of the CHP on December 11, 2019, for a price of 24 million 369 thousand liras after the agreement.

It was stated that 15 million 510 thousand liras were covered by the donations of citizens who wanted to contribute to the building to be purchased.

The indictment, which stated that the CHP Provincial Headquarters was asked for information on when, by whom, and for what price the properties were purchased, and where and how the money used in the purchase of the property was obtained and by what means it was paid to the seller, noted that the sales price was stated as 39 million 870 thousand liras in the written response provided. It was also reported that 15 million 510 thousand liras were covered by the donations of citizens who wanted to contribute to the building to be purchased and were given to the seller by hand.

The indictment stated that the bank account numbers for the 'Put in a Brick Yourself' aid campaign launched by the CHP Provincial Headquarters belonged to the headquarters, and that there was no information or documentation regarding how much, by whom, and in what manner donations were made in the campaign.

IT WAS EMPHASIZED THAT A RECEIPT SHOULD BE ISSUED

The indictment, which also stated that since the 'Put in a Brick Yourself' aid campaign was launched by the CHP, a political party, it should be evaluated whether the donations made were in accordance with the procedure specified in the Law on Political Parties, emphasized that according to the regulation in the law, the person making the donation must receive a receipt for the donation amount, and the party official accepting the donation must issue a receipt for the donation amount received.

REQUEST FOR UP TO 1 YEAR IN PRISON

In the prepared indictment, it was requested that 22 suspects, including former CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu, IMM Sports Club President Fatih Keleş, İmamoğlu Construction Company General Manager Tuncay Yılmaz, former Şişli Mayor Muammer Keskin, and former Maltepe Mayor Ali Kılıç, be sentenced to 6 months to 1 year in prison for the crime of 'receiving illegal donations, loans, or debts, or providing loans,' which constitutes opposition to the Law on Political Parties.