CHP İstanbul chair gives statement in investigation for 'insulting the president'

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Republican People's Party (CHP) İstanbul Chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu deposed to prosecutors in an investigation against several party executives for "insulting the president."

The investigation was opened because of brochures prepared by the party about Sezgin Baran Korkmaz, a businessperson facing fraud and money laundering charges both in Turkey and the US.

Party members had distributed the brochures in the Beyoğlu and Beşiktaş districts. Several CHP members and executives were later detained in an investigaton into the campaign for "insulting the president."

The brochure was titled "SaBıKa Holding," a wordplay of Korkmaz's SBK Holding and "sabıka," which means "criminal record" in Turkish. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu were listed among Kormaz's "political contacts" in the brochure.

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Releasing a written statement about the investigation, Kaftancıoğlu said the investigation against her was opened because of her social media posts about the brochure.

The CHP, in line with its duties arising from the Constitution and laws, made efforts to inform the public about the issue and called on judicial authorities to perform their duties, said the statement.

"Unfortunately, no completed investigation about the politicians and bureaucrats, who are alleged with strong evidence to have participated or aided in the crimes, has been made public," Kaftancıoğlu stated.

Speaking to reporters after deposing to prosecutors, Kaftancıoğlu said, "There is nothing to make a statement. It's just one of our routine days to give a statement to the prosecutor's office." (HA/VK)