Political ban was sought: New development in the trial of Özgür Çelik

CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik, CHP Istanbul Youth Branch Chair Erdem Kara, and district chairs appeared before the judge today in the trial held at the Çağlayan Courthouse.

TRIAL HELD FOR THE FIRST TIME

Twenty-six people, who were alleged to have resisted police during the events that occurred on January 31 when the imprisoned Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor and CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu arrived at the Istanbul Courthouse to provide a statement, appeared before the judge for the first time today. Among those on trial was CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik, who was removed from office by a court order. Çelik made his defense during the hearing and denied the accusations against him.

“I DO NOT ACCEPT THE ACCUSATION”

Starting his defense by saying, “I do not accept the accusation against me,” Çelik continued his remarks as follows:

“I would like to make my defense under three headings. Why are my 25 friends and I here? This is the first time in my life that I have appeared before a judge. I knew that my path would lead to courtrooms the day I was elected CHP Provincial Chair. We were aware that we were not walking in a rose garden without thorns. We achieved significant successes during our two-year term. In autocratic regimes, the opposition is punished, and successful opposition is punished many times over.”

“WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING AN ANTIDEMOCRATIC PERIOD FOR 300 DAYS”

Continuing his defense, Çelik said, “Until March 31, 2024, there was not a single lawsuit or hearing opened against us. Today, our provincial headquarters building is the subject of a lawsuit, and its surroundings are surrounded by barriers. Our provincial congress is also the subject of a lawsuit. I am being tried in 3 different files with a total of 22.5 years of imprisonment. All these cases were opened after March 31. The reason for this is that we, the 25 friends here, are the soldiers of our party marching toward power.”

Stating that the CHP and social opposition are under judicial pressure, Çelik said, “Our presidential candidate and İBB Mayor is currently in prison. What happened to us is the result of an extraordinary antidemocratic period that has been going on for 300 days. There is a handful of wealthy people who condemn the public to misery. Exercising our constitutional rights is considered a crime. We did not hold a press statement in front of the courthouse for the first time that day; we have done so many times in the past. But this time, a crime was imputed.”

“THIS CASE IS ENTIRELY POLITICAL”

Çelik said, “The press statement we wanted to make on January 31 was blocked. This is a violation of constitutional rights. Our march, which we wanted to hold to condemn Israel’s massacre in Palestine, was also blocked. When circles close to the government hold protests, every convenience is provided, but a ban is imposed on us. A message is intended to be sent to the 26 CHP administrators on trial here. We are here because we did not remain silent and did not bow down. My older brother Özkan Çelik is also included in the indictment, even though he has no position in the party. With this case, they even want to send a message to our families. This case is a political case.”

REQUEST FOR ACQUITTAL

At the end of his defense, he stated, “The source of the accusations against us is an instruction given. The judges, prosecutors, and police of this country are also children of laborers like us. We want justice for everyone. We are here because our constitutional rights were blocked. We are expected to provide a token opposition. We cannot even enter our provincial building; it is surrounded by iron barriers. We are being tried because we defend a fully independent Turkey. 80 percent of the public does not trust the judiciary. This is not just our problem, but the problem of the entire country. Today, we are being tried because we want justice. We are fighting without bowing to any pressure. I request acquittal for both my friends and myself.”

ERDEM KARA: “YOUTH CANNOT BE ACCUSED”

In his defense, CHP Istanbul Youth Branch Chair Erdem Kara said, “It should have been murderers and harassers in this courtroom, not us. Our young friends are being tried for chanting slogans and being in the square. I went to Çağlayan on January 31 at the call of our party’s Chairman Özgür Özel. There were tens of thousands of people there that day. The police intervened without any warning. All four allegations against me are baseless. There is no concrete evidence. I will continue to fight against every unjust case opened against Ekrem İmamoğlu. We were in Çağlayan and Saraçhane for our right to a fair trial. No power can manufacture a crime against us from here. I will not give up the struggle for democracy. I reject all accusations and demand acquittal.”

TESTIMONY OF THE POLICE OFFICER

A female police officer serving in the Riot Police Branch, who was present at the hearing as a complainant, stated the following:

“We were taking precautions at Gate C. We moved to Gate A upon instruction. We told them to stop, we warned them, but they did not comply. The crowd started to come toward us. They tried to pass to the back. We were forming a line with shields, and a scuffle broke out. I had a shield in my hand; they applied pressure, I lost my balance and fell. They continued to walk over me. I crossed to the other side with the help of my colleagues. After the incident, I had pain in my arm, and a fracture was detected at the hospital. It was said that there were members of parliament in the crowd. When we did not allow it, they pushed against us.”

Çelik conveyed his well wishes to the police officer and said, “Neither I nor my friends were in the place she described.” The police officer replied, “I did not see you there, Chairman. I fell near CK Elektrik.”

TRIAL DATE SET

At the end of the hearing, which continued after an approximately 10-minute break, the court adjourned the case until February 23, 2026.

News Source: 12punto