Turkish court orders 'forced appearance' for former opposition leader Kilicdaroglu

A Turkish court has issued a 'forced appearance" order for the main opposition party Republican People’s Party's (CHP) former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu in connection with a defamation lawsuit filed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s former lawyer, Mustafa Dogan Inal.

The Istanbul 48th Criminal Court of First Instance issued the order on Oct. 16.

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Defamation case stemming from parliamentary speech

The lawsuit was filed following remarks Kilicdaroglu made during a CHP parliamentary group meeting in October 2023, in which he allegedly insulted Inal.

The former CHP leader’s comments included allegations of corruption. Despite efforts from Kilicdaroglu’s legal team to have a summons sent to his Ankara residence, the court granted the request of the plaintiff’s lawyer for a compulsory appearance order.

Former Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu (R) and CHP's new chairman, Ozgur Ozel (L) at the 38th Ordinary Congress of Republican People's Party at the Ankara Sports Hall in Ankara, Turkiye on November 4, 2023. (AA Photo)

Next hearing scheduled for February 2025

The next hearing in the case is set for February 18, 2025, according to the former CHP deputy Baris Yarkadas. If Kilicdaroglu does not attend voluntarily, the police may be required to bring him to court.

Kilicdaroglu responded to the court’s decision in a video statement, denouncing the order as politically motivated and vowing not to retreat from his position.

https://twitter.com/kilicdarogluk/status/1846590171195584706

Kemal Kilicdaroglu's post on XA screen grab from Kemal Kilicdaroglu's post on X

CHP’s current leader Ozel and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu both criticized the court’s decision, calling it politically driven.

https://twitter.com/eczozgurozel/status/1846573509683655029

The decision to bring our former Chairman, Mr. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, into custody today is not only unlawful, but also an attempt to intimidate by a politicized judiciary.

Our party stands tall as one and as a whole against these efforts.

Ozgur Ozel

Ekrem Imamoglu, Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), at the 20th Extraordinary Congress called 'Second Century Change Congress' at ATO Congresium, where CHP's party program was discussed, Ankara, Türkiye, September 7, 2024 (AA Photo)

Apply forced rendition decisions to those who have dozens of criminal records and are walking around.

The decision to forcibly bring our 7th Chairman Mr. Kemal Kilicdaroglu to justice due to an ongoing case is not legal but political. We stand by Mr. Kemal until the end in this process.

Ekrem Imamoglu

https://twitter.com/ekrem_imamoglu/status/1846586081958900156

They expressed full support for Kilicdaroglu, affirming that the party would stand united against what they view as judicial pressure.

October 17, 2024 11:04 AM GMT+03:00