A new hearing on the case demanding the cancellation of two Republican People's Party (CHP) congresses was held today. It was decided to dismiss the case due to the lack of active hostility.
The lawsuit regarding the cancellation of the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP held on November 4-5, 2023 and the 21st Extraordinary Congress on April 6, 2025 has begun.
CHP lawyers Çağlar Çağlayan and Mehmet Can Keysan and parliamentarian Onur Yusuf Üregen's lawyer attended the hearing at Ankara's 42nd Civil Court of First Instance.
The hearing continued with testimony from the lawyers.
WHAT IS THE PLAINTIFF'S CLAIM?
Deputy plaintiff Onur Yusuf Üregen stated as follows in his defense:
“I would like to say that the file is now complete and we are waiting for a decision today. All the evidence has been placed on the file and the parties have expressed all they had to say in all the media.
At this time, we reiterate our request that the case be resolved and that our request be accepted today, both for social welfare and legal stability. “I exercised my right to make a statement within the framework of my right to a fair trial and an equal defense, but I was effectively prevented from exercising my right to defend by a number of secondary interveners and spectators repeatedly interrupting me, intervening loudly and occasionally using threatening or degrading expressions.”
In his defense, Üregen said, “The CHP Congress of November 4-5, 2023 should be canceled from the day it was held, with the determination that it is completely invalid.” When asked for a decision, he made the following point:
“- Determines that all decisions taken during the congress, are completely nullified until the case is resolved on substantive grounds, as well as all decisions taken by Özgür Özel and his management, are sovereign,
– The November 4-5 Congress is completely invalid. For this reason, former president Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and his administration, who were elected in the previous congress according to the requirements of the law and the law, should be reinstated when their power will return. “Before the hearing, representatives of the CHP party and people who wanted to follow the case gathered in front of the court. Police teams were seen taking security measures in front of and around the court.
SHOULD CHP LAWYERS DEDİ?
CHP lawyer Çağlar Çağlayan also stated his defense as follows: “- None of the plaintiffs, especially Lütfü Savaş, has the ability to participate in hostile activity. It is impossible for a person who is not a member of a political party or cannot use his membership to participate in a system related to party law – Ankara's Third Instance Civil Court held nearly same a petition based on the same legal reasons and that there were no absolutes in the historical case of the Istanbul provincial congress. He explained that these issues were irreconcilable with the outcome, that these issues were beyond the scope of proof, by referring to previous decisions and dismissed the case. – We have previously explained that there are no cases of will in other stages of the trial, but at the same time, we would like to draw your attention to a point that we mentioned, cases of corruption of will. can only lead to legal invalidity. “The deadline to file an annulment lawsuit has passed.”
The case's previous hearing was held on September 15.
The court rejected the plaintiff's lawyer's request for an injunction and requested a list of names of deputies who voted in both parliaments that are the subject of the case.
The file containing these names was included in the case file.
WHAT DECISIONS COULD COME FROM THE CASE?
At today's hearing, three different possibilities were mentioned if the case is concluded.
These three possibilities are as follows:
– The court can reject the request to abolish the congress.
– A trustee or a calling committee may be appointed as a precaution.
– The Congress can be canceled by absolute nullity.
CONFERENCE PRE-HEARING DECISION
Before today's trial, a last-minute decision was made by the CHP Party Congress (Prime Minister) yesterday.
The CHP Prime Minister decided to convene the 39th Regular Congress.
The congress will be held on November 28-30.
HOW DID WE COME TO THIS DAY? The history of the case dates back to the 38th Ordinary Congress held on November 4-5, 2023 and the 21st Extraordinary Congress held on April 6, 2025.
It is believed that the 38th Ordinary Congress was tampered with by former Metropolitan Mayor Hatay Lütfü Savaş and some delegates; A lawsuit was filed in various courts, claiming that the delegates' votes were bought in exchange for bribes. These cases have been compiled at the Civil Court of First Instance No. 42. DEMAND “RETURN TO KILIÇDAROGLU” FROM PLAINTIFF The plaintiffs claim that there was bribery, fraud in voting and that the will of the delegates was weakened. The plaintiffs want the congress to be declared null and void, arguing that former president Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu should be reinstated. The same plaintiffs also said that the 21st Extraordinary Congress held on April 6, 2025 should also be canceled.
PREVENTIVE DECISIONS REJECTED
The first hearing at Ankara's Civil Court of First Instance No. 42 was held on May 26.
The defendants' request for a temporary restraining order at the first trial was denied and the trial was postponed to June 30.
The indictment against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and 11 people who were arrested just before the June 30 hearing on charges that “CHP deputies were given money in exchange for votes” has been completed.
OBJECTION TO THE DECISION “NO MISSION”
The decision without jurisdiction was made in the filing with the Ankara Criminal Court of First Instance No. 26. The file was sent to Ankara High Criminal Court No. 3.
While the Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office protested the decision's lack of jurisdiction, the petition requesting the cancellation of the 38th Regular Congress was postponed until September 8 to await the outcome of this protest.
The same trial date was later moved to September 15.
DECISION TO REJECT THE REQUEST AND POSTPONE THE CASE ON SEPTEMBER 15
On September 15, all eyes were once again on the 42nd Civil Court of First Instance in Ankara.
The plaintiff's attorney again requested interim measures at this trial and the court denied this request.
The court also requested that the names of the delegates who voted in both congresses in question be provided until the next hearing.
