Celal Çelik, the lawyer of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was reinstated as CHP Chairman by the court, made a statement to the press in front of Kılıçdaroğlu’s house after the 36th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Justice decided to preemptively suspend Özgür Özel and the party management from duty and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and his management to take over the duty in the “absolute nullity” case regarding the allegation of irregularities in the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP. found.

“KILIÇDAROĞLU WILL CALL ÖZGÜR ÖZEL”

Lawyer Çelik said:

“Our esteemed Chairman will soon call Mr. Özgür Özel, regarding the evaluations he has made within the scope of preventing chaos in the CHP, and will state that he will start the necessary work to help the CHP overcome this problem by negotiating together, hand in hand.

Therefore, I wanted to inform you that this information, that is, Özgür Özel, will be called by our esteemed Chairman soon. “We will continue to present to you the evaluations that our President wishes to present from time to time.”

The statements made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli in the live broadcast he attended are as follows:

“May 21, 2026 (today); Ankara Regional Court of Justice 36th Civil Chamber gave an absolute nullity decision regarding CHP’s 38th Ordinary Congress held on 4-5 November 2023. This decision means that the said congress is considered legally invalid from the beginning. The court also ruled that the ordinary and extraordinary congresses held after this congress and the decisions taken during this process are invalid. Within the scope of the decision, Özgür Özel, the Central Executive Board, the Party It was decided that the members of the Parliament and the High Disciplinary Board should be suspended from duty as a precautionary measure. The court ruled that the administration before the congress, that is, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the party organs at that time, would take over the duty as a precautionary measure until the decision was finalized. The most important result of the decision was that it created a serious uncertainty about the legal and actual management authority in the CHP and appealed to the Supreme Court within two weeks. As a matter of fact, it has been announced that the necessary objection has been made.

“KEMAL KILIÇDAROĞLU AND HIS TEAM HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO DUTY UNTIL THE DECISION IS FINAL”

As the public knows, the 38th Ordinary Congress of the Republican People’s Party took place on 4-5 November 2023, and Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Mr. Özgür Özel entered a democratic race for the chairmanship of the Republican People’s Party. The congress, in which Mr. Özgür Özel was elected as the Chairman, was taken to court by some CHP delegates, alleging irregularities and demanding annulment. On May 21, 2026, the Ankara Regional Court of Justice ruled that the congress in question should be declared null and void, on the grounds that the allegations of irregularities regarding the congress were proven; Özgür Özel and his management were suspended from their duties as a precautionary measure until the decision was finalized, and former chairman Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and his team were reinstated until the decision was finalized.

When asked by journalists about our opinion on the CHP’s absolute nullity case after our Grand National Assembly Group Meeting on May 5, 2026, they said: “CHP is the most important political institution that has existed since the founding of the Republic. We hope that this institution will not be confused, disintegrated, legally damaged or used for different purposes.” I said. At this point, we have been proven right. In our opinion, the healthiest way would be to evaluate the issue calmly, in accordance with the law, with a sense of responsibility, and to act with the will to carry the historical and corporate identity of the CHP into the future.

As it is known, at the CHP grand congress on November 5, 2024, Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Mr. Özgür Özel entered a democratic race for the chairmanship of the Republican People’s Party. Under the conditions of that day, it was declared by the election board that the will of the CHP delegates at the congress was in favor of Mr. Özgür Özel, and Mr. Özel was elected as the chairman of the CHP.

“THE COMMENTS SUCH AS WE DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE JUDICIAL DECISION ARE IN VAIN”

After the congress, a lawsuit was filed to cancel the congress due to irregularities with the delegates. The lawsuit filed demanding the congress to be ignored was concluded on May 21, and the grand congress in question was canceled on the grounds that the alleged irregularities were proven. By the court decision, it was accepted that Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu was wronged, as claimed, and it was registered by the court decision. At this point, statements like we do not recognize the judicial decision are futile and unnecessary.

Instead of resisting, protecting the corporate identity of CHP, the centuries-old plane tree of Turkish political life, should be essential for everyone. For this, first of all, the parties must act with common sense, with the will to meet on the common denominator of the CHP, not to split, not to crumble and not to be scattered. In a situation where we are surrounded by a ring of fire and at the same time the will of a terror-free Türkiye is embodied, it is essential not to give an opportunity to attempts to direct social mobility through the CHP.

CHP should not be made available for use for different purposes and should not be left in that state.

In this context, common sense should become dominant in CHP. Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu accepts the injustice done to him, but he must assume a historical responsibility not to hurt, injure or cause chaos in this long-established institution, for which he served as chairman for 13 years. He should state that he has renounced his position in order to meet with Mr. Özgür Özel, within the framework permitted by law, and to create a common formula for the future of the CHP. This result will benefit both CHP and our country. At the same time, with this historical responsibility, Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu will gain an exceptional place both in the CHP corporate identity and in the hearts of our citizens who have devoted themselves to the CHP.

In Turkish politics, institutionalization is the most important part of social stability, political reconciliation and national solidarity. In this atmosphere where we are surrounded by a ring of fire, power struggles, factional conflicts, disintegrations and disintegrations that will cause political chaos will disrupt both politics and the strengthening of democracy. Engaging in these methods through CHP may cause irreparable wounds. The traumas caused by such events in the past are hidden in Turkish political memory. In this context, this decision taken by Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu will be better in terms of stability and unity of the CHP.

“THE ONLY WAY AT THIS STAGE IS TO COMPROMISE; THE BASIC ELEMENT OF CONCONCILIATION IS TO AVOID PROCITATIONS”

The statements made by Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Mr. Özgür Özel after the decision are within the framework of unity. However, transforming this into the common will of the CHP will make these efforts constructive. Our wish is that, instead of creating crowds and challenging each other, both leaders come together and find a common path based on the interests of the CHP by making the necessary sacrifices within the framework of the laws, party charter and court decision. They must do this without delay or causing any social or intra-party chaos. It should not be forgotten that an attitude that could evolve into betrayal towards the CHP’s institutional identity, heritage and base will be a heavy burden for the people who served the CHP. At this stage, the only way is to compromise; The basic element of reconciliation is to avoid provocations and act with a sense of renunciation and responsibility.

Türkiye is a democratic state of law. It has a strong political culture. According to our Constitution, the judiciary is impartial and independent. Türkiye belongs to all of us. “With this understanding, within the framework of rules and institutions, acting with common sense, unity and solidarity and reaching a compromise on the future of the CHP will be the best way.”

The appointments made with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan came into force after being published in the Official Gazette. According to the decision, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Deputy Director General of Environmental Management Haluk Şahin Yazgı, Member of the High Scientific Board Atilla Ünal, Malatya Provincial Director of Environment and Urbanization Ali Laloğlu, Eskişehir Provincial Director of Environment and Urbanization Hikmet Çelik, Kayseri Provincial Director of Environment and Urbanization Sibel Livdumlu, Yalova Provincial Director of Environment and Urbanization Murat Alacatlı, Balıkesir Provincial Director of Environment and Urbanization Kadir Kandemir were dismissed. Semih İlker Sanaç was appointed as Deputy General Manager of Environmental Management.

In addition, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy General Directors of Energy Affairs, Murat Hardalaç and Erdoğan Sert, and the Head of the Information Technology Department, Hakkı Tok, were dismissed. Kürşat Bozkurt was appointed to the Bilecik Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, which was vacant in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

There are vacancies in the Small and Medium Enterprises Development and Support Administration; Selim Serkan Ercan and İmran Gezinti were appointed as Vice Presidents, and Mustafa Genç was appointed as the First Legal Advisor. In addition, there are vacancies in the General Directorate of Tea Enterprises; Ali Kağanoğlu was appointed as Mersin Marketing Regional Director and Fatma Musluoğlu was appointed as Diyarbakır Marketing Regional Director. Murat Baştor, General Director of Transportation Services Regulation of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, was dismissed and Çağlar Tabak was appointed in his place.

As part of the investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the procedures of the police for 3 more suspects who were detained on charges of “taking bribes” and “laundering assets” have been completed.

After health checks, the suspects were taken to Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan.

Suspects Cevdet Çalı, Bülent Karakaş and İlker Uluer, whose statements were taken at the prosecutor’s office, were referred to the judgeship on duty with a request for arrest.

The criminal judgeship of peace decided to arrest the suspects.

STATEMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE

In the statement made by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, it was stated that an investigation was being carried out against Beşiktaş Municipality by the Financial Crimes Branch Directorate of the Istanbul Provincial Police Department under the coordination of the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.

In the statement, it was stated that within the scope of the investigation, 5 suspects, including the former Beşiktaş Deputy Mayor and Beşiktaş Municipality Council Member, were detained on charges of “taking bribes” and “laundering assets”.

It was stated that during the searches carried out in the residences and office rooms of the suspects, a large number of digital materials and 90 thousand dollars and 5 thousand euros, which were considered to have been obtained from crime, were seized.

In the statement, the names of the suspects were listed as follows:

“Former Beşiktaş Deputy Mayor Cevdet Çalı, Beşiktaş Municipality Personnel Services Manager Bülent Karakaş, Sarbel Organization Office Worker Özlem Demir Karakaş, Former Beşiktaş Municipality CHP Council Member Oylum Işık, Beşiktaş Municipality CHP Council Member İlker Uluer.”

The suspects Nazire Oylum Işık and Özlem Demir Karakaş, who were referred to the courthouse within the scope of the investigation, were arrested.

Savaş, who was in Eskişehir for the funeral of a relative, made a statement to journalists and wished the best for Turkish democracy, Turkish justice and all political parties in Türkiye. “This was perhaps the most politically important case of the last century in Türkiye.” Savaş said:

“The main purpose here was an issue related to the Republican People’s Party, which has a history of more than a century and which is embraced not only by the members of the Republican People’s Party but also by everyone who believes in the leadership of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Türkiye. What was the subject of the Republican People’s Party? Our President addressed the Chairman of the Republican People’s Party as ‘chairman of the questionable congress’ 4 or 5 times. Our previous Chairman, Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, also came out in a private statement. He stated on the channel that this was wrong and that an answer should be given. We saw that no issues regarding these were discussed by our headquarters, our Chairman. As a congress delegate of the Republican People’s Party and a mayor of Hatay for the past 3 terms, and as a conscious citizen on this issue, I thought that the Republican People’s Party should not be allowed to be polluted.

“I FOLLOWED THE COURT’S DECISION WITH RESPECT”

Lütfü Savaş stated that after the words of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Kılıçdaroğlu, he thought that the headquarters should make a statement on this issue, but since no one made a statement, he resorted to the law. Savaş stated that a decision was made today after a process of approximately 15 months, and continued his words as follows: “Of course, I respectfully responded to the previous court decision. I followed the decision of the court with respect. We also respect the decision of today’s court.

Breaking news… CHP MYK convened urgently because the 36th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Justice decided to preemptively suspend Özgür Özel and the party management from office and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and his management to take over the duty in the “absolute nullity” case regarding the allegation of irregularities in the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP.

“WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAY AT THE HEADQUARTERS”

The extraordinary Central Executive Board meeting, which lasted approximately 5 hours, ended at the CHP Headquarters. Özgür Özel held a press conference after his party’s Central Executive Committee meeting.

Özgür Özel, who appeared in front of the cameras at night after the extraordinary Central Executive Board meeting, stated that they had no thoughts of transitioning to a new party after the absolute nullity decision. Stating that they will continue the struggle and stay at the headquarters, Özel shared the following information: “We objected to the removal of the precautionary decision. We will appeal to the YSK. We expect the Supreme Court to lift the precautionary decision.”

“WHAT WILL WE TALK WITH KILIÇDAROGLU”

Asked whether Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu had contacted him or not, Özel said, “We had an intense meeting. We received many phone calls. Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu is among the callers. I have not called back yet. What will we talk about when we return? Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu is our previous chairman. Of course, his phone call will be returned somehow. However, I do not expect him to think that I will see the nullity decision as legitimate.”

A STATEMENT WAS MADE: “KILIÇDAROĞLU WILL CALL ÖZEL”

Celal Çelik, the lawyer of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was reinstated as CHP Chairman by the court, said, “Our esteemed Chairman will soon call Mr. Özgür Özel regarding the evaluations he has made within the scope of preventing chaos in the CHP and will state that he will start the necessary work within the scope of CHP’s solution to this problem by negotiating hand in hand.” he said.