Turkish police detain 13 after CHP ruling

Turkish police on Saturday detained 13 people in an investigation linked to the 2023 congress of the main opposition Republican People’s Party, after a court ruling last week removed party leader Özgür Özel and set off a political crisis, Reuters reported.

The case follows a Turkish appeals court decision on Thursday that annulled the results of the party congress that elected Özel, citing unspecified irregularities. The court reinstated former party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, a divisive figure who lost to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the 2023 election.

The Republican People’s Party condemned the ruling as a “judicial coup,” while Özel said he would challenge it through legal appeals and remain personally at the party’s headquarters in Ankara “day and night.”

Detentions across seven provinces

Anadolu said on Saturday that the Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s office said the suspects were arrested in seven provinces on suspicion of interfering in delegate voting during the 2023 congress.

According to the office’s statement, the suspects face charges of “violating the political parties law,” “accepting bribes” and “laundering money obtained from crime.” Authorities also carried out searches and seizures at the suspects’ homes in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Şanlıurfa, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis and Malatya.

Political test for Turkey

Analysts said the ruling is a test of the fragile balance between democracy and authoritarianism in Turkey, warning that it could help prolong President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 23-year rule at a time when the country faces the risk of another setback in efforts to curb high inflation.

The next election is due in 2028, but it would have to be brought forward if Erdoğan, 72, who faces limits on the number of presidential terms, wants to run again. The court ruling is seen as increasing the chances of an early election.

The government denies criticism that it uses the judiciary to target political opponents and says the courts are independent.