Özgür Çelik rejects expulsion decision: 'This decision is unlawful'

Çelik stated, "This decision is unlawful. It is a decision that exceeds the authority of the absolute nullity committee, and as the Istanbul Provincial Chair, I clearly state that we do not recognize this decision."

Addressing party members gathered in front of the party building, Özgür Çelik argued that the ongoing process is not merely an internal matter for the CHP, but is directly related to the struggle for democracy in Turkey.

Stating that the CHP has been facing political pressure for a long time, CHP İstanbul Provincial Chair Çelik said, "For one year and seven months, we have been facing a mechanism of subversion aimed at the CHP's corporate identity. First, they targeted our mayors, then they turned to our party's corporate identity."

Commenting on the disciplinary process initiated against him, Özgür Çelik said, "Today, they have initiated a disciplinary process regarding the Istanbul Provincial Presidency, various provinces in Anatolia, and our Women's Branch Chair. They published a statement consisting entirely of vague expressions, where even they do not understand what they are saying. In this respect, this decision is unlawful. It is a decision that exceeds the authority of the absolute nullity committee, and as the Istanbul Provincial Chair, I state clearly and unequivocally that we do not recognize this decision."

Emphasizing that positions in the CHP are determined by members and delegates, not by court decisions, Çelik said, "In the Republican People's Party, whether it is the chairmanship or the provincial presidency, it is the CHP members and delegates who decide who will hold which position. The Republican People's Party cannot be designed by the decisions of a politicized judiciary."

Reiterating that the CHP Chairman is Özgür Özel, the Istanbul Provincial Chair Çelik said, "The party congress delegates have elected Mr. Özgür Özel as chairman four times. The elected chairman of the Republican People's Party is Özgür Özel."

Arguing that Turkey is at a crossroads, Özgür Çelik said, "The issue is not a matter of the Republican People's Party. The issue is a matter of the nation. Will Turkey be governed by democracy, will the institutions of the republic be rebuilt, or will this country drift toward a monarchy? This is what needs to be discussed."

"THE OPPOSITION AND THE CHP ARE IN UNITY"

Stating that the opposition and the CHP organization are in unity, Çelik said, "Istanbul's 39 district chairs are here, our mayors are here, our women's and youth branches are here. The CHP cadres are united. We will not take a step back in the face of these attacks."

Çelik concluded his statement by saying, "We will not allow those who try to hide the ballot box from the nation. We will not allow those who try to trample on the constitutional order. We will continue our struggle with determination. If they have their politicized judiciary, the nation has its conscience."