Turkish court issues ‘forced appearance’ order for former CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu

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The Istanbul 48th Criminal Court of First Instance on Oct. 16 issued a “compulsory appearance” order for former main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu within the scope of the defamation lawsuit filed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's former lawyer Mustafa Doğan İnal.

The lawsuit was filed on the grounds that the then CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu insulted the lawyer in his speech at the CHP's parliamentary group meeting on Oct. 17, 2023.

Kılıçdaroğlu's lawyer, who made his defense in the last hearing, stated that his client's residence address is in the capital Ankara and requested a summons to be sent there.

The lawyer of the complainant, on the other hand, asked for a compulsory appearance order to be issued against the defendant.

Announcing its interim decision, the court ruled that Kılıçdaroğlu should be “forcibly brought” to the court and adjourned the hearing.

Former CHP deputy Barış Yarkadaş posted on X that the next hearing of the lawsuit in which Kılıçdaroğlu will be brought “by force” will be held on Feb. 18, 2025.

“This means that Kılıçdaroğlu will be brought to the hearing by police if he does not appear on his own will,” Yarkadaş added.

The indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that during a CHP Group Meeting in Parliament, Kılıçdaroğlu mentioned İnal by name, saying, “There is no man as corrupt as this,” “Disclose this man’s assets,” and “Pay the money, and you can get any ruling you want.” The indictment also noted that the case was referred to the Reconciliation Office, but no agreement was reached between the parties.

The prosecutor requested a prison sentence of three months to two years for Kılıçdaroğlu on charges of "insult."

Kılıçdaroğlu: ‘Bring it on!’

Kılıçdaroğlu responded to the order by publishing a video titled “Bring it on!” on X.

In a video released on Oct. 16 evening (local time), Kılıçdaroğlu stated, "Erdoğan complains, saying, 'We want to ease up, but Kılıçdaroğlu won’t let us.' On top of that, he’s trying to intimidate me through the palace’s judiciary." 

Kılıçdaroğlu often uses palace to refer Erdoğan using his presidential palace.

Former main opposition leader continued, "As long as I remain Erdoğan’s nightmare and the economic crisis deepens, hostility towards me will grow. To those trying to push CHP members out of politics with dirty tricks, I say clearly: we won’t hand over a single CHP member to the palace judiciary. Neither I nor my companions will be sacrificed. Stop giving orders to the judiciary. If your problem is with me, I will stand firm."

The former leader said, “I will be damned if I step back from fighting for these people yesterday, today and tomorrow, until my last breath. Bring it on!”

CHP's current leader Özgür Özel also reacted to the decision on X and deemed the decision "not only unlawful, but also politically motivated." He stated "Our party stands firm against these efforts as one and whole.”

Kılıçdaroğlu took office as the 7th CHP chair in 2010 and led the main opposition party for 13 years until he lost to his rival Özel at the party convention in 2023.

The criticism against him grew inside the party especially he lost the presidential election against Erdoğan.