CHP Istanbul chair called to testify in case into taking pictures of presidential aide's illegal construction

Duvar English

Turkish presidential aide files lawsuit against CHP's Istanbul chair over illegal construction spat

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu was called to testify in the case into the taking pictures of Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun's house in Istanbul's Kuzguncuk.

The row over the construction has been ongoing since daily Cumhuriyet reported on April 14 that the CHP-run Istanbul Municipality demolished a pergola and fireplace that were illegally constructed on the land rented by Altun from the Foundations’ General Directorate.

After the report, an investigation was launched into CHP Üsküdar district head Suat Özçağdaş over taking photographs of Altun's house adjacent to the demolished illegal construction. Prosecutors accuse him of violating the “privacy of personal life.”

Kaftancıoğlu was called to testify on April 28 as part of the criminal complaint filed by Altun's lawyer Sezgin Tunç. She is accused of "praising a crime and a criminal," as well as "encouraging a crime."

Kaftancıoğlu on April 22 voiced support to Özçağdaş on Twitter.

“No one can touch CHP's district head for protecting the public's property and taking care of the people's rights. The authority of the state is there to protect the people's rights, and you will learn this whether you like or not! You will also learn that city bandits are those who do not recognize the law and undertake illegal construction!” she said.

Neighbors come to Turkish presidential aide's defense over 'illegal' construction