The sixth hearing of the case regarding the "City Consensus" (Kent Uzlaşısı) formed between the CHP and the DEM Party during the March 31, 2024 local elections was held at the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court.
In the verdict hearing, the court acquitted Kartal Deputy Mayor Cemalettin Yüksel, Ataşehir Deputy Mayor Livan Gür, IMM and Üsküdar Municipal Council Member Bülent Kaygun, Fatih Municipal Council Member Güzin Alpaslan, Tuzla Municipal Council Member Hasan Özdemir, İkbal Polat, Adalar Municipal Council Member Nesimi Aday, and Şişli Municipal Council Member Sinan Gökçe.
Sancaktepe Municipal Council Member Elif Gül and Beyoğlu Municipal Council Member Turabi Şen were each sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison.
Following the verdict, CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik made a statement on his social media account, noting that they had followed the case at the courthouse. Çelik argued that the elected municipal council members had been kept in prison for months and were prevented from performing their duties during this process.
“Eight of our 10 municipal council members who were tried in a case opened with a completely racist and discriminatory approach, aimed at damaging the reputation of Turkey's leading party and preparing a political and legal ground for the March 19 and May 21 coup processes, were acquitted, while 2 received sentences.”
In his statement, Çelik said, “We will definitely change this unjust order based on the criminalization of politics and the use of the judiciary as a tool for conspiracy over politics.”
News Source: 12punto
