New testimonies in the CHP convention investigation

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office continues to collect statements from individuals questioned as suspects in the investigation launched following allegations that "votes were cast in exchange for money" during the Republican People's Party's (CHP) 38th Ordinary Convention held on November 4-5, 2023.

CHP Party Assembly Member Baki Aydöner also provided a statement in the investigation file, which is being conducted under Article 112 of the Law on Political Parties and relevant legal regulations. Aydöner stated that he has been a party member since 2010 and has served as a member of the Party Assembly since November 2023. He also noted that he participated in the 38th Ordinary Convention as a delegate.

Defending himself against the accusations, Aydöner claimed they were "untrue statements fabricated out of hostility by those who lost in a political competition environment," and noted that he only engaged in political activities before and after the convention, and did not participate in any unlawful acts.

Aydöner stated that he may have been in contact with various party members during that period, saying, "As required by the convention period, I may have held meetings with party members, but I certainly did not hold meetings regarding market cards with İlyas Şahin or anyone else, as alleged. The real estate mentioned in MASAK records under my name consists of modest investments acquired entirely through family and personal savings."

Rejecting witness allegations that money and technological devices were distributed in some hotels during the convention process, Aydöner stated, "I did not carry money in a bag during this period. I did not give money to anyone. I did not make any monetary offers to delegates in any way. I did not distribute gifts in the form of phones or tablets, nor did I see or hear of such things being done."

Another individual whose statement was taken in the investigation was CHP High Disciplinary Board Member Özkan Tice. Tice stated that he served as the İzmir Provincial Deputy Chair between 2018 and 2023 and voted as a delegate at the 38th Convention.

Refuting the accusations in witness statements, Tice defended himself by saying, "I did not hear or see any benefits being provided to delegates during, before, or after the convention process, as alleged. I did not engage in any behavior other than political activities. I did not distribute money to any of the delegates to support Özgür Özel, nor did I hear of any money being distributed."

Party Assembly Member Ali Haydar Fırat was also among those who provided statements within the scope of the investigation. Fırat said he was not a delegate during the convention and was only exercising his legal political rights. He argued that the movements in his bank accounts, which were examined by MASAK, stemmed from his personal income and savings.

In his statement, Fırat said, "I have royalty income from the television broadcasts I make. I also have a pension from the Social Security Institution (SGK). Furthermore, my wife is a civil servant at the Çankaya Municipality. Regarding the period of the investigation, I have not bought or sold any movable or immovable property or vehicles. Also, regarding the period in question, none of my first or second-degree relatives have started working at CHP-run municipalities or their subsidiaries. I served as a volunteer advisor to our former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu for 13 years. However, as a result of developing political events, I began to think that there should be a change in the party."

Stating that he was not a convention delegate, Fırat emphasized that he still supported Özgür Özel's candidacy process. "Since I was not a convention delegate, I did not have the opportunity to vote directly at the conventions. However, during the change process taking place in the party, I expressed my opinion in favor of the new chairman candidate Özgür Özel. In addition, I made comments about the developing events in my capacity as a journalist. In return for these comments and expressions of opinion, I did not receive any money or benefits from the team including Ekrem İmamoğlu and Özgür Özel, or anyone else. No such offer was made to me."

"I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY MARKET CARDS BELONGING TO THE IMM"

Party Assembly Member Ozan Işık stated in his testimony that he joined the CHP in 2012 and held various positions in the party, primarily in the youth branches. Stating that he is currently in the Party Assembly, Işık clearly denied the accusations in witness statements that he distributed market cards.

In his statement, he said, "What the witness said is entirely slander. Not only do I not know if there are any market cards belonging to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, but I have not seen or heard of such a card being distributed by anyone."

Işık argued that because he was a candidate at the convention, he introduced himself to party delegates and asked for their votes, and did not provide any money or benefits to anyone. He also denied allegations that his relatives were hired by municipalities as a result of efforts to persuade people to vote for Özgür Özel.

Işık said, "My brother applied for a job online at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Career Office. He took the necessary exams and interviews. As a result of his success in the exams, he started working as a mechanical engineer at İGDAŞ, a subsidiary of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. This matter has nothing to do with me providing a reference."

KILIÇDAROĞLU'S FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF ALSO TESTIFIED

On the other hand, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's former chief of staff, Şükran Kütükçü, also provided a statement as a suspect within the scope of the file. Kütükçü stated that she had no income other than her official salary. She argued that the allegations that she was sent abroad, financed by Cafer Mahiroğlu, who is claimed to be the owner of Halk TV, do not reflect the truth.

Kütükçü denied another accusation directed at her, the claim that she shared Kılıçdaroğlu's private schedule with Ekrem İmamoğlu and Özgür Özel, as follows:

"During that period, I certainly did not inform anyone outside about his daily schedule and visitors. I did not engage in any special activity in favor of Özgür Özel or Ekrem İmamoğlu."