Trial of 10 defendants over alleged fraud in CHP İstanbul Provincial Presidency elections adjourned

The trial of 10 defendants, including CHP İstanbul Provincial ChairÖzgür Çelik, Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat, and Beyoğlu Mayor İnan Güney,who are accused of rigging the vote during the CHP's Istanbul Provincial Congress held on October 8, 2023,began today as they appearedbefore a judge for the first time.The court session was subsequentlyadjourned.appeared incourt.

The hearing, held by the Istanbul 72nd Criminal Court of First Instance at the Marmara Penal Execution Institutions Silivri Campus, was attended by non-detained defendant CHP İstanbul Provincial ChairÖzgür Çelik, Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat, who was arrested as part of the investigation, and Beyoğlu Mayor İnan Güney.Güney, Veli Gümüş and the lawyers for the parties were present.

At the hearing, which began around 10:30 AM, Özgür Çelik, Rıza Akpolat and İnan Güney presented their defense..

Following the defense statements, the court adjourned the hearing.

Making his defense in court, defendant and Beykoz Municipality Chief of Staff Veli Gümüş, who was arrested as part of a 'corruption' investigation, said,"Unfortunately, we are here,despite our efforts to perform our dutieswith all our heart and dedication, paying the pricefor being victims of deception and setups. We are paying the price for all the efforts made day and night, which have been disregarded."This situation isaclear act of disloyalty. I have given allmy statements with sincerity. I have done nothing to hang my headin shame, nor to betraythe trust of those whotrusted me.I did not say a word or take any action that would causetrouble or infringe upon anyone else's rights. Indeed, when the evidenceis examined, it is clearly seen that I was onCemalCanpolat'slist.

For this reason, fromCemal Canpolat's list My involvement in any work or process for Özgür Çelik's victory is inconsistent with the ordinary flow of life. Following the emergence of the audio recording in question, the situation with the aim of preventingit, wewent to the Beykoz DistrictChairmanMahir Taştan together with Uğur Gökdemir. Uğur GGökdemir handed over the audio recording in his possession and declared that it would be delivered to the necessary authorities and that the required procedures would be carried out. After the recording was handed over, Uğur Gökdemir deleted the audio recording in question from his phone. However, during the process, acting under the influence of the disappointment he experienced due to not being included in Cemal Canpolat’s list, he contacted Fahrettin Çırak.pastand chose to accept the offers presented to him. Currently, there is noevidencewhatsoever, yet I have been detained for 90 days. I have not done anything to betray the trust of those who believed in me," he stated.

"Özgür Çelik supported mand because it did not emerge,I resigned from the CHP."

Finally, the non-detained defendant,former Beykoz Municipal Council member Uğur Gökdemir, stated, "I became close with Veli Gümüş in 2023; he is currently upset with me becausetrying to slander me. Ibribes and did not want to support a person known for corruption. No bribery, or anything else, no conversation regarding these matters ever took place between us. I, with a clear conscience, sI am saying this. Because Özgür Çelik did not stand by me,I resigned from the CHP.In those conversations presented to the court, we talked about Giresun, we talked about hazelnuts. I do not know why a person would record this. I have no knowledge of who recorded it. I have no conversation with Murat Demir or anyone else.I also do not know Fahrettin Çırak.I have had no dialogue with him, and I have no financial dealings with him. They are slandering me. In this file, I only know Veli Gümüş.I know Veli Gümüş.I am acquainted with Veli Gümüş.Gümüş, was very confident that he would win the Istanbul Provincial Presidencyelections.Before the elections, he was walking around saying, 'I am already the provincial vice chairman.' I am being slandered by the defendants in this indictment and those present here," he said.Hearing postponed

After a break of approximately 1 hour, the court announced its interim decision

and adjourned the hearing.The court, which heard the statements,ruled that the defendants who had not yet provided their defense would be heard at the next session and that the missing items in the case file would be addressed,therebyadjourning the hearing.

News Source: 12punto