Former Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Lütfü Savaş gave a statement at the Ankara Courthouse today as part of the investigation launched into the 38th Ordinary Convention of the CHP. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had announced that an investigation was launched into the CHP's 38th Ordinary Convention, held on November 4-5, 2023, based on allegations that "votes were cast in exchange for money," and reported that the investigation was initiated in January 2024 following a tip-off to the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Subsequently, former CHP Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Lütfü Savaş filed a lawsuit in the Civil Court of First Instance for the cancellation of the convention. Following this, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office summoned Savaş to the prosecutor's office to take his statement as part of the investigation conducted into the convention. Savaş's lawyer, Onur Yusuf Üregen, made a press statement in front of the courthouse after Savaş gave his testimony.
"WE ANNOUNCE TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE HAVE FILED A NEW CRIMINAL COMPLAINT"
Stating that Lütfü Savaş gave his testimony upon the invitation of the relevant prosecutor's office, lawyer Üregen said, "It should be known that the distortion of legal processes and the misleading of the public harm judicial independence and democratic values. In line with our belief in democracy, the rule of law, and political ethics, we are continuing our legal initiatives to ensure that the process is conducted in a fair and transparent manner in all its aspects. On behalf of my client Savaş, we announce to the public that we have filed a new criminal complaint with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the allegations of irregularities and the impairment of the delegates' will during the Republican People's Party's 38th Convention in 2023."
After his testimony, Savaş did not answer journalists' questions as he left the courthouse, saying, "We will speak on a national channel this evening. I do not want to provide any information at this moment."
'BACKGROUND OF THE EVENT'
The CHP Disciplinary Board expelled former Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Lütfü Savaş from the CHP last December as a result of a disciplinary investigation conducted on the grounds that he used the expressions, "Today's CHP is busy getting 'DEM-ed' (a reference to the DEM Party). As a party, we cannot defend those who establish ties with terrorism and derive political rent from terrorism, whoever they may be or whatever formation they may belong to," in a post on his social media account.
News Source: 12punto
