CHP Faces Court Over Congress Irregularities: Could Party Leadership Be Dismissed?

A criminal case concerning alleged voting irregularities in the Republican People’s Party (CHP)’s 2023 and 2025 congresses will begin on Tuesday in Ankara. The trial, involving key opposition figures including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, has fueled speculation about potential implications for the CHP leadership. Party lawyers, however, insist the case does not threaten the current executive’s legitimacy.

Criminal Trial Follows Dismissed Civil Case

The Ankara 26th Criminal Court of First Instance will on Tuesday hold the first hearing in a case alleging “manipulation in the voting process” during CHP’s 38th Ordinary Congress (2023) and 21st Extraordinary Congress (2025).

The lawsuit follows a separate civil case that sought to annul both congresses, which the Ankara 42nd Civil Court dismissed on October 24, 2025, citing “lack of active hostility” and “mootness.” That ruling upheld the legitimacy of current party leader Özgür Özel and the executive board.

The new criminal indictment targets 12 CHP members, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul provincial chair Özgür Çelik, and Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay, with prosecutors seeking 1–3 years in prison and a political ban if convicted.

Kılıçdaroğlu Named as ‘Victim’ in the Indictment

The indictment lists former CHP chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as the victim and Hatay Mayor Lütfü Savaş as complainant and witness. During the investigation phase, 36 witnesses were heard, and statements were taken from 115 suspects, while communication records of 51 individuals from the congress period were requested.

Files related to sitting MPs — including Özgür Özel, Ali Mahir Başarır, and Veli Ağbaba — were separated and forwarded to Parliament’s Bureau due to their parliamentary immunity, creating two parallel procedural tracks.

CHP Lawyer: “The Case Does Not Threaten Party Leadership”

CHP attorney Çağlar Çağlayan told Cumhuriyet that the proceedings do not aim to remove the current CHP administration but rather address alleged procedural violations.

“This indictment was prepared with very little evidence and concerns only procedural irregularities,” Çağlayan said. He added that the Constitutional Court (AYM) had been consulted earlier over the lower court’s jurisdiction, but while the AYM concluded the criminal court was competent, it has not yet notified its decision officially.

“According to the law, once the Constitutional Court is petitioned, no procedural action can be taken for six months. Since the local court hasn’t been officially informed of the AYM’s ruling, no hearings on the merits can be held yet,” Çağlayan explained.

He emphasized that neither the defendants nor their lawyers had been formally summoned, and they only learned of the hearing through the UYAP court database. “Tomorrow, we will attend to demand that procedural shortcomings be addressed. It’s unlikely that Mr. İmamoğlu or the others will be questioned. Statements will begin only after the procedural phase is complete,” he added.

Political Implications

While the case has stirred debate within opposition ranks, CHP officials describe it as an “attempt to discredit” the party ahead of key political deadlines. Party sources note that the criminal trial’s outcome has no bearing on the legitimacy of Özgür Özel’s leadership, which was affirmed by the civil court ruling in October.

The trial’s procedural complexity — involving both parliamentary immunity and constitutional review — suggests a long legal process ahead, with limited immediate political consequence but potentially high symbolic impact.