Turkish court again postpones trial against main opposition CHP party

A court in the Turkish capital Ankara postponed on Monday a case of "absolute nullity" against the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), the proceedings which the opposition slammed as politically motivated judicial interference.

The case, which was opened over allegations that delegates "were paid" to cast their votes in favour of the current chairman Özgür Özel during a party congress in late 2023, is believed by most opposition supporters to be politically motivated.

The government maintains that Turkey's courts operate independently in investigating allegations of electoral irregularities.

Former chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was defeated by Özel, his long-time advisor and group deputy chairman at the Turkish parliament, never spoke publicly against Özel but insinuated on many instances that "there were irregularities" about the congress and that "the free will of the delegates was stolen from them."

The trial, which will determine whether Kılıçdaroğlu can come back to helm the party instead of Özel, has now been postponed to at least 24 October, while it might get delayed even further.

In case Kılıçdaroğlu comes back — a move that could create further divisions within the party, according to experts — he would be able to govern the party for mere six days as CHP delegates responded to the upheaval with a decision to bring the party to an extraordinary congress through a collective vote on 21 September.

Overwhelmingly backed by the current CHP delegates, Özel remains the top candidate in the race.

Meanwhile, CHP has been further rocked by defections, after several notable members have switched allegiances, joining the ruling Justice and Development or AK party instead.

The crisis was triggered when, on 19 March, Turkish police raided the home of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and detained him, which led to his subsequent imprisonment in Silivri Prison.

Since then, operations against the CHP intensified even further, with many of its mayors being jailed in the same prison as İmamoğlu.