In the case where 414 defendants, 77 of whom were detained and 5 of whom were “complainant defendants”, were tried regarding the “Imamoğlu profit-oriented criminal organization”, it was decided to release 9 defendants.

The 41st hearing, held by the Istanbul 40th High Criminal Court in the hall opposite the Marmara Closed Penal Institution, continued after a 1-hour break for the detention review.

The court panel, defendants Iraz Bayrak, a business analyst at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Orhan Gazi Erdoğan, CHP’s IT officer, Mustafa Keleş, son of the detained defendant İBB Sports Club President Fatih Keleş, Kültür AŞ Progress Payments Chief Gökhan Köseoğlu, Büyükçekmece Deputy Mayor Ahmet Şahin, Ekrem İmamoğlu’s brother-in-law Cevat Kaya, businessman Seza Büyükçulha, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality European Side Police Department. It was decided to release Director Hakan Aplak and former Police Department Head Engin Ulusoy.

68 people, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık and former CHP Deputy Aykut Erdoğdu, IMM Mayor Advisor and MEDYA AŞ Chairman Murat Ongun, IMM Sports Club President Fatih Keleş and İmamoğlu’s lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan, who were suspended from their duties after their arrests. It was decided that the defendant’s detention should continue.

The hearing was postponed to Monday, June 1.

Breaking news: According to the decision of the 36th Legal Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Justice (BAM), the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP on 4-5 November 2023 and the Istanbul Provincial Congress on 8 October 2023 were canceled due to “absolute nullity”.

ISTANBUL PROVINCIAL CONGRESS WAS ALSO CANCELED

The court also decided to annul the CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress held on October 8, 2023 and all decisions taken at this congress due to absolute nullity. It was stated that the provincial president and the provincial administration should continue their duties before the Istanbul Provincial Congress.

PRECAUTIONARY DECISION AGAINST ÖZGÜR ÖZEL AND HIS MANAGEMENT

Another striking part of the decision was the provisional injunction decisions. It was stated that the plaintiffs’ requests for precautionary measures were accepted in the cases filed and consolidated in various civil courts of first instance in Ankara, and it was decided that Özgür Özel, who took office with the congress of 4-5 November 2023, members of the Central Executive Board, members of the Party Assembly and members of the High Disciplinary Board were suspended from duty as a precautionary measure.

The court also ruled that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the members of the Party Assembly and the High Disciplinary Board, who served before the congress, should assume their duties as a precautionary measure and reinstate them until the decision is finalized.

“CHP HAS BEEN REMEMBERED WITH MANY THINGS BUT…”

So, what did Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu say to his close circle during this process? Hürriyet Newspaper Ankara Representative Hande Fırat conveyed the details.

Hande Fırat told Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s close circle, “We have no personal expectations, but we have to come with political nullity.” and “CHP has been associated with many things until today, but it has never been labeled as theft.” He stated that he used the expression.

“WILL BELONGS THE NATION, BELONGS TO THE DELEGATES, BELONGS TO THE MEMBERS”

Stating that “the duty of the judiciary is to ensure the rule of law,” Gürlek pointed out that election security applies not only to general elections but also to the internal processes of political parties.

Pointing out that political parties are indispensable elements and supporting pillars of democracy, Gürlek said, “Damaging these pillars means directly damaging democracy. Therefore, this decision is a decision that reinforces our citizens’ trust in democracy and shows that the self-protection mechanisms of democracy are functioning.” made his assessment.

“THE WAY TO APPEAL THE DECISION IS OPEN”

Emphasizing that the rule of law is the state that takes allegations seriously and evaluates them with evidence, Gürlek continued as follows:

“Of course, the appeal of this decision is open. The process will continue to operate within the legal order. It will be of great importance that everyone respects this process, makes their evaluations within the framework of the law, and raises their objections within the legal order. The basic principle for us is clear, the will belongs to the nation, the delegates, the members. The state of law stands tall against every element that casts a shadow on this will. Turkey will continue to strengthen its democracy with law, justice and commitment to the will of the nation.”

Yumaklı and Sudanese Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation İsmet Guraşi attended the 16th Term Turkey-Sudan Joint Economic Commission (KEK) Meeting Minutes Signing Ceremony at the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ). Underlining that the relations between Turkey and Sudan are based not only on a common geography but also on unshakable historical ties and deep unity of heart, Yumaklı explained that it is extremely valuable to hold this meeting after 8 years.

Yumaklı pointed out that KEK is the main execution platform in strategic areas such as trade, investment, agriculture, energy, health and education and said, “I believe that the decisions we took in this meeting will give a new impetus to our relations in the coming period and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between our peoples.” he said. Stating that they are pleased to see that the commercial relations between Turkey and Sudan have developed significantly in the last twenty years, Yumaklı said, “Our bilateral trade volume, which was at the level of 71 million dollars in 2003, reached an all-time high of 680 million dollars in 2022. However, with the effect of the ongoing current conditions in Sudan, our trade volume has reached 390 million dollars as of 2025.” he said.

Yumaklı said that they believe that trade will start to increase again as permanent stability is achieved in Sudan and the economic normalization process accelerates. Pointing out that the goal of increasing the bilateral trade volume to 2 billion dollars in the medium term is achievable, Yumaklı said, “In this context, it is of great importance that the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement and the Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments Agreement signed between Turkey and Sudan come into force.” he said. Yumaklı pointed out that Sudan has significant potential for Turkish investors and contracting companies and continued: “We evaluate that our investments in Sudan have reached the level of approximately 300 million dollars. The Turkish contracting sector has been one of the most concrete indicators of the economic partnership between the two countries, with more than 90 projects worth 3 billion dollars it has undertaken to date. In the coming period, the joint projects to be developed in strategic areas such as agriculture, energy, telecommunications, defense industry, food security and modern irrigation technologies will add a new dimension to our cooperation.” We believe it will bring success.”
Emphasizing that they attach great importance to improving relations with Sudan in areas such as agriculture, health, education and humanitarian cooperation, Yumaklı said, “We have 5 agreements that form the legal basis of our cooperation in the fields of agriculture, water, animal husbandry and forestry. Both parties act with awareness of the strategic importance of cooperation in the fields of agriculture, irrigation and food security in supporting sustainable economic development and strengthening bilateral economic relations.” he said.

THEY WERE REFERRED TO THE JUDGE WITH A REQUEST FOR ARREST

Following the prosecutor’s statements, the suspects, Beşiktaş Municipality CHP Council Member İlker Uluer, former Beşiktaş Deputy Mayor Cevdet Çalı, and Beşiktaş Municipality Personnel Services Manager Bülent Karakaş, were referred to the Criminal Court of Peace with a request for arrest.

A LOT OF MATERIALS AND MONEY WERE SEIZED

While a large number of digital materials were seized during the searches carried out in the residence and office rooms of the suspects, 90 thousand dollars and 5 thousand Euros, which were considered to have been obtained from crime, were also seized.

According to the statement made by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar met with Nigerian Solid Minerals Development Minister Oladele Henry Alake, who came to Türkiye within the scope of the 2nd Istanbul Natural Resources Summit.

LONG-TERM COOPERATION WILL BE MADE

After the meeting, Minister Bayraktar and Alake signed the “Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Cooperation in the Field of Mining”.

According to the agreement reached, Türkiye and Nigeria will establish long-term cooperation in the field of energy and natural resources on the basis of mutual benefit. In this context, cooperation opportunities in the exploration of mineral resources will be evaluated.

INFORMATION AND EXPERTISE WILL BE SHARED

Cooperation will be carried out in areas such as promotion of mining investments, geological research, laboratory studies, data sharing, mineral enrichment technologies, sharing of knowledge and expertise and development of human resource capacity.

In addition, the development of joint projects, promotion of safe mining practices and cooperation opportunities for small-scale mining activities will also be discussed.