politics
Turkish Police Detain 13 in Investigation of 2023 CHP Congress
Police detained 13 people across seven provinces on Saturday in connection with a 2023 Republican People's Party congress. The action follows a court ruling that annulled the congress and reinstated former party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
May 23, 4:36 AM·1m read1 source
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Turkish police detained 13 people on Saturday in an investigation into the 2023 congress of the main opposition Republican People's Party, state media reported. The Istanbul chief public prosecutor's office said the suspects were detained across seven provinces over allegations of interference in delegates' voting.
They face charges of violating the law on political parties, accepting bribes, and laundering assets derived from crime. Search and seizure operations took place at addresses in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Sanliurfa, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, and Malatya.
A Turkish appeals court on Thursday annulled the 2023 congress at which Ozgur Ozel was elected party leader, citing unspecified irregularities. The court reinstated former CHP Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu in his place. The CHP condemned the ruling as a judicial coup.
Ozel said he would fight the decision through legal appeals and remain at the party's Ankara headquarters. The next national election is scheduled for 2028. The government states that the judiciary is independent.
