CHP Convention Trial Postponed to September 16 Amid Defence Testimonies

The trial regarding allegations of irregularities at the 38th Ordinary Convention of the CHP, where 12 defendants, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, are being tried, has been postponed to September 16. In the hearing held at the Ankara 26th Civil Court of First Instance, defendant Özgen Nama and the lawyers of the parties attended. The judge stated that the hearing would continue with the statements of the defendants and witnesses. Defendant Nama claimed that the allegations against him were unfounded and had the quality of 'slander', stating, 'CHP conventions pass like festivals. Delegates from certain provinces stay in certain hotels, I have a long political history. Some delegates can be visited, and dinner can be eaten at some hotels; these are normal and ordinary. The allegations that I carried a bag are baseless. I was only in the lobby of the hotel, and there was no bag with me, contrary to what was claimed. If the hotel's camera records are examined, it will be revealed.' Nama stated that the delegates who voted during the convention process did not have any allegations that he had committed an irregularity, and that he did not gain any material or moral benefit as a result of the convention. Nama claimed that the allegations against him targeted his reputation, saying, 'I have been under the umbrella of the CHP for over 30 years, my core principles have been honesty, transparency, and acting in accordance with the law. The crimes attributed to me are targeting my reputation. I have also filed a criminal complaint against the person who accused me of this crime.' The defendant's lawyer defended his client's innocence and requested an acquittal from the court.