CHP convention indictment completed: Political ban requested for İmamoğlu, Kılıçdaroğlu named victim

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has completed the investigation it launched following complaints by former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and former Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Lütfü Savaş regarding allegations of "irregularities" at the 38th Ordinary Convention of the CHP, where Özgür Özel was elected as the party's chairman.

An indictment has been prepared against 12 individuals, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik, Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat, and CHP Erzurum Provincial Chairman Serhat Can Eş, on charges of "violating the Law on Political Parties."

REQUEST FOR POLITICAL BAN

In the indictment, as is the case in all similar indictments, the prosecutor requested that a political ban be imposed for the duration of any sentence received.

The indictment alleges that the election voting was rigged and requests that the suspects be sentenced to up to 3 years in prison each.

In the indictment, former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is listed as a "victim." Former Hatay Mayor Lütfü Savaş is identified as a "complainant."

"DELEGATES' WILL WAS CORRUPTED"

The indictment alleges that under the organization of suspect Ekrem İmamoğlu, who served as the Chairman of the Council at the 38th Ordinary CHP Convention, and with the participation of other suspects, various irregular activities were carried out targeting certain delegates who voted at the convention held at the Ankara Sports Hall on November 4-5, 2023.

In this context, it was reported that some delegates were given money, while others were offered or promised mayoral or municipal council memberships in different provinces and districts.

It was also noted that some delegates and their relatives were placed in jobs at CHP-run municipalities and their affiliated companies or subsidiaries, and that some were distributed numerous market shopping cards.

The indictment alleges that some delegates who voted at the convention were asked to take photos of their ballots with their mobile phones to prove who they voted for and to send them to the suspects.

Furthermore, it was alleged that the transition to the second round of voting was delayed following the first round, and that during this process, false statements were made claiming that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu had withdrawn from the race.

It was stated that through all these actions, the will of the convention delegates was corrupted, and that activities were carried out in this manner to ensure that the chairman candidate Özgür Özel won the election. The indictment requests that the suspects be sentenced to up to 3 years in prison each for the crime of 'violating the election law.'

News Source: İHA