Up to 17 years in prison sought: Trial of Özgür Çelik at Çağlayan Courthouse adjourned

The legal process continues in the case opened following the tension that occurred on January 31, 2025, when CHP's imprisoned presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu went to the Istanbul Courthouse to provide a statement. A lawsuit was filed against CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik and 25 party members due to the events that took place after the CHP's election bus was stopped in front of the courthouse and pepper spray was used against the group moving toward the bus.

REQUEST FOR UP TO 17 YEARS IN PRISON

In the filed lawsuit, Özgür Çelik and 25 defendants face charges of "resisting to prevent the performance of duty," "participating unarmed in unlawful meetings and marches and failing to disperse despite warnings," "intentional injury," and "damaging public property." The prosecution is requesting prison sentences for the defendants ranging from 3 years and 11 months up to 17 years.

ÖZGÜR ÇELİK DID NOT ATTEND THE HEARING

In the first session of the trial, the defenses of 10 people, including Özgür Çelik, were taken. Özgür Çelik did not attend the hearing, which was left for today to complete the defenses of the remaining defendants and to finalize missing documents.

COMPLAINANT POLICE OFFICER SAID "I AM NOT A COMPLAINANT"

The complainant police officer, who was heard in court, stated, "I am not a complainant against the defendants; I do not wish to participate in the case." The officer, who stated that he works at the Istanbul Courthouse, described the events with the following words:

"A great chaos broke out. I fell there. My own weapon fell into my hand. I received a 3-day medical report from the hospital. But no one pushed me."

The lawyer for CHP Istanbul Youth Branch President Erdem Kara asked the police officer, "Where was the place you fell?" The police officer replied, "I fell at the back of the courthouse, on the hospital side." Upon this, the lawyer continued his questions by saying, "What was the reason for the warning or caution? What kind of action was there that disturbed public order? A hundred thousand people could come there; if it is peaceful, you have no right to intervene."

"THERE WAS NO ATTACK AT ALL"

The complainant police officer said, "This is not something organized by these 3-5 people; there were thousands of people there. We did this on the instructions of our superiors. Think about so many people gathering in front of the Çağlayan Courthouse, but there was no attack at all."

The discussion ended with the lawyer's remark, "I have received my answer; it means this needs to be asked to your superiors."

Another defense lawyer, Rıza Koçak, asked the police officer, "Were you told about the governor's office's ban decision during the day? Do you have any information?" The police officer stated that he had no information on this matter. When asked by Koçak, "According to the police report, we do not know who gave the instructions first. Do you have information about this?" the police officer again said he had no information.

Additional statements from some defense lawyers were also taken during the hearing.

TRIAL ADJOURNED TO SEPTEMBER 14

The court panel decided to have the defendants whose defenses have not yet been taken present at the next session and adjourned the hearing to September 14 at 10:00.