Скачать или смотреть Desitdown News (Court throws out corruption case seeking to oust Turkish opposition)

A Turkish civil court has dismissed a high-profile corruption case
that sought to annul the leadership of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and remove its current chairman, Özgür Özel. The case had challenged the legality of the party’s
2023 congress, where Özel succeeded longtime leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu after a closely contested internal vote.

The plaintiffs, reportedly former party members, alleged irregularities including vote-buying, manipulation of delegate lists, and procedural violations during the congress. However, the Ankara court ruled that the claims lacked sufficient legal and factual basis, declaring the lawsuit
inadmissible. Judges concluded that since the CHP had since held additional internal votes reaffirming its leadership, the case was both “moot and without merit.”

The verdict is seen as a major relief for Turkey’s opposition, which has faced mounting political and legal pressures in recent years. A ruling against Özel could have destabilised the country’s largest opposition bloc, possibly leading to court intervention in party affairs or even a temporary leadership vacuum. Political observers note that the decision helps to stabilise the CHP ahead of upcoming municipal and national elections. It also marks a rare instance in which the judiciary dismissed a case widely perceived as politically motivated, offering a small sign of judicial independence in
an environment where opposition figures have often faced prosecution.

Financial markets reacted positively to the ruling, with the Turkish lira gaining slightly amid investor relief that political uncertainty had eased. Özel, addressing reporters after the ruling, described the decision as a “victory for democracy and party unity,” while calling on supporters to “focus on building a stronger, fairer Turkey.” The ruling effectively ends months of speculation over the future of the CHP’s leadership, allowing the party to consolidate its position as the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government.

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