CHP leader faces prosecution as legislative immunity ends after failed presidential bid

Kılıçdaroğlu observed the opening ceremony for the legislative term as a guest. (Photo: AA)

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After the parliamentary elections on May 14, former MPs who were not re-elected and had their immunity revoked are now facing judicial proceedings.

Among them is Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). He did not participate in the parliamentary elections as he was a candidate for the presidency. Most of the affected MPs are members of the Kurdish issue-focused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which is facing a closure case due to its alleged "terror ties."

Some 2,002 summaries of proceedings prepared during the previous legislative term concerning these individuals have been sent to the Presidency for further action and separation, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA). The files of the MPs who haven't been re-elected will be referred to the Ministry of Justice.

To ensure a thorough investigation, the Ministry of Justice plans to send over a thousand criminal files to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

Charges against Kılıçdaroğlu

Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the CHP, has 18 summaries of proceedings against him. The charges against him include "making propaganda for a terrorist organization," "inciting hatred and hostility among the public," "insulting a public official," and "defamation."

Prosecutors from investigation bureaus handling general crimes, terrorism, and public officials' crimes will summon the former MPs who no longer enjoy parliamentary immunity for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.

If sufficient evidence is gathered, Kılıçdaroğlu could face prosecution based on the charges brought against him. (AEK/VK)