CHP Leader Özel Claims Trustees Were Planned for CHP, İBB, and Istanbul Bar

CHP Chair Özgür Özel revealed for the first time on Halk TV’s “Yeni Bir Sabah” program, hosted by İsmail Küçükkaya, that the party received intelligence early in the week of Ekrem İmamoğlu’s detention suggesting that trustees (kayyum) would be appointed to the CHP headquarters, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), and the Istanbul Bar Association.

“They wanted to seize İBB, dismantle CHP, and neutralize the bar that might defend us,”
said Özel.
“I told our Secretary General Selin Sayek Böke to form a strong crisis team immediately.”

“We Took Immediate Action to Protect Democracy”

Özel described how CHP mobilized to prevent the seizure of its institutions:

“150 youth activists camped out in CHP’s Ankara HQ. I told them: ‘If you give up this building, you give up democracy.’”
“I left for Istanbul right away. We are the party that founded democracy in this country. If there’s an abnormal situation, we meet it where it happens.”

He compared the alleged trustee plan to the July 15 coup attempt, recalling how CHP supported democracy that night within minutes:

“We rushed to Parliament because coups always target the legislature. I called İsmail Kahraman and demanded it be opened. This recent move was another coup—just slower and more visible.”

“Saraçhane is the Symbol – We Won’t Surrender It”

Özel emphasized the strategic importance of Saraçhane, the main İBB building:

“I told our Istanbul Chair, ‘If there’s a terror charge, it means they’re preparing for a trustee.’ I asked if Ekrem’s office was open. Then I said, ‘Fill Saraçhane with people and don’t leave until I say so.’”

“When I reached the Bolu Tunnel, I asked myself if I was doing the right thing. But I knew—we either protect this or we lose everything. I told our people: ‘We might die here, but we won’t abandon this place.’”

“If İmamoğlu Is Banned, Our Campaign Still Runs Through Him”

Özel also responded to questions about what CHP would do if İmamoğlu is banned from politics or jailed:

“We don’t just have Plan A or B—we’ve planned all the way to Z. But let me be clear: İmamoğlu is our candidate. He got 15.5 million votes. That mandate cannot be ignored.”
“Even if he’s imprisoned, our campaign will be built around him.”

He praised Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş for his loyalty:

“Mansur Bey has stood by İmamoğlu from day one and voted with pride. That unity continues.”