A trial has begun in Ankara on alleged bribery charges that could undermine the leadership of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

This was reported by Turkish media, according to AFP.

The hearing could invalidate the results of the CHP's primary leadership election in November 2023 due to alleged fraud, thereby overturning the election of leader Oğuzhan Özgür.

Critics say the case is a politically motivated attempt to undermine the party, whose popularity has grown since it led a wave of street protests in March during Turkey's worst unrest in more than a decade.

In February, the Ankara prosecutor launched an investigation into allegations of vote buying during the congress, which saw Ozel defeat long-time president Kemal Külçdaroğlu.

The CHP denies the allegations.

The outcome could see several CHP representatives, including jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, sentenced to up to three years in prison and banned from politics, according to media reports.

Before the hearing, Yozel said the CHP was ready for any outcome.

“Whatever decision they make, we are ready for it. But don't let them drag this out and oppress us further: this country needs to talk about hunger, poverty, unemployment, and the hopelessness felt by young people,” he said late on June 29.

If the election results are annulled, the party leadership will almost certainly return to 76-year-old Kılıçdaroğlu, who was ousted after losing the 2023 presidential race to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, leaving the party in crisis.

Kılıçdaroğlu has already said he would be ready to take over the party again if the court overturns the primary election results, sparking unrest within the CHP. | BGNES