A major political storm in Turkey has eased after an Ankara court dismissed a high-profile corruption case seeking to unseat Ozgur Ozel, the leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). The ruling, announced on Friday, was hailed by Ozel’s supporters as a victory for judicial independence amid growing concerns over government influence on the judiciary and ongoing crackdowns against opposition figures.
Court Rejects Corruption Allegations Against Ozgur Ozel
The Ankara court determined that the accusations against the CHP and its leader were “without substance”, dismissing claims of vote-buying and procedural irregularities at the party’s 2023 national congress. The case had been brought by a former CHP member in February 2025 and sought to invalidate Ozel’s election as party chairman.
Judge’s statements cited by AFP confirmed that there was “no legal basis” to proceed with the claims, ending months of political tension surrounding the case.
The decision reinforces Ozel’s position as Turkey’s primary opposition leader, strengthening his influence within the CHP ahead of the 2028 presidential election. Political analysts say the ruling could reinvigorate the party’s support base, which has faced increasing pressure from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.
Crackdown on Opposition Intensifies
The corruption case was part of a broader crackdown that has seen hundreds of opposition figures detained or prosecuted over the past year. According to Reuters, more than 500 individuals, including 16 mayors from CHP-run municipalities, were arrested in Istanbul and other major cities on various corruption-related charges.
Among those targeted is Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested in March 2025. Imamoglu, the CHP’s presidential candidate for 2028, has denied all charges, calling them politically motivated. His detention triggered nationwide protests—the largest since Turkey’s 2013 Gezi Park demonstrations—and led to a sharp sell-off of the Turkish lira.
Earlier this month, the CHP’s Istanbul provincial head was removed after a court ruled that cash payments had influenced votes during a local party congress. The party expelled the state-appointed replacement, denouncing the intervention as “political engineering.”
Prosecutors have also targeted Besiktas Mayor Riza Akpolat, accusing him of bid rigging and seeking a combined 415 years in prison. The CHP argues that these cases are part of a coordinated campaign to weaken the opposition ahead of national elections.
Ozel: ‘This Was a Coup Attempt Against the Future Ruling Party’
Ozgur Ozel has accused President Erdogan of orchestrating a “coup against the future ruling party”, claiming that the government is using the judiciary to undermine democratic competition.
“We will march forward without fear, without division, growing hope,”
Ozel wrote on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week, signaling defiance in the face of mounting legal and political challenges.
The CHP leadership maintains that all charges of corruption are fabricated to discredit the opposition. Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), however, insists that Turkish courts are independent, rejecting allegations of political interference.
Erdogan has described the corruption network as “an octopus stretching across Turkey and abroad”, accusing the CHP of “systemic wrongdoing” — an accusation the party firmly denies.
Judicial Independence and Political Stakes
The case was widely seen as a litmus test for Turkey’s judiciary, which critics say has become increasingly aligned with the ruling party. Legal scholars argue that internal party disputes should fall under the jurisdiction of the Higher Election Board (YSK), not local courts.
Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from Ankara, said the verdict was “critical” and likely to bolster Ozel’s legitimacy heading into the 2028 elections.
“The court probably hesitated to issue an annulment, as doing so could have destabilized the political landscape. Constitutional experts have long said that such cases should not be handled by local courts,” Koseoglu explained.
With recent polls showing the CHP neck and neck with Erdogan’s AKP, Friday’s ruling may signal a turning point for Turkey’s embattled opposition movement.
Key Takeaways
- Turkish court dismisses corruption case against opposition leader Ozgur Ozel.
- Ruling viewed as a boost for judicial independence amid ongoing political repression.
- More than 500 CHP members and mayors have been arrested in the past year.
- The opposition accuses President Erdogan’s government of using courts as a political weapon.
- The decision strengthens the CHP’s position ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Leave a Reply