Daijiworld Media Network - Ankara
Ankara, May 23: Turkish police on Saturday detained 13 people as part of an investigation into the 2023 congress of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), further intensifying political tensions in Turkey.
The detentions came days after a Turkish appeals court annulled the CHP congress at which Ozgur Ozel was elected party leader, citing unspecified irregularities. The court reinstated former CHP chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who had lost to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Kilicdaroglu urged party members to avoid internal divisions and called for protecting the party’s “moral values” amid growing criticism surrounding the court decision.
He also stated that he had not yet spoken with Ozel following the ruling.
The CHP leadership under Ozel strongly criticised the court verdict, describing it as a “judicial coup.” Ozel vowed to challenge the decision through legal means and said he would continue to remain at the party headquarters in Ankara.
According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the 13 suspects were detained across seven provinces over allegations of interference in delegate voting during the 2023 party congress.
State-owned Anadolu Agency reported that the accused face charges including violation of political party laws, accepting bribes, and laundering assets obtained through crime.
Search and seizure operations were conducted in several provinces, including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Sanliurfa, Kahramanmaras, Kilis and Malatya.
Political analysts said the court ruling could deepen concerns over Turkey’s democratic institutions and further strengthen Erdogan’s hold on power after more than two decades in office.
The next national election in Turkey is scheduled for 2028. However, speculation over an early election has intensified as Erdogan, 72, would otherwise face constitutional term limits if he seeks another term.
The Turkish government has denied allegations that the judiciary is being used to target political opponents, maintaining that courts in the country function independently.