A court in Ankara has dismissed a corruption case targeting Ozgur Ozel, the leader of Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), ruling that the allegations lacked substance. The case, which accused Ozel of vote-buying during the CHP’s November 2023 primary elections, was rejected by the Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance as “moot.” The decision was welcomed by CHP lawyers, with Caglar Caglayan stating, “This decision was in accordance with the law. We’ve been saying these cases need to be removed from our country’s agenda.” The case was widely perceived as part of a broader government crackdown on opposition figures, particularly following the arrest of CHP Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in March. The court’s dismissal cited Ozel’s re-election at an extraordinary CHP congress in September as evidence of his legitimacy. However, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Onur Yusuf Uregen, announced plans to appeal the ruling, calling the dismissal unexpected. The case’s outcome has significant implications for Turkey’s political landscape, as Ozel’s removal could have led to the appointment of a court-appointed trustee, a tactic previously used against opposition figures, especially those linked to pro-Kurdish parties. The news also positively impacted financial markets, with stocks rallying and the Turkish lira recovering from a record low. The CHP has accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of targeting the opposition following their success in the 2024 local elections. Imamoglu’s arrest and subsequent protests have further intensified political tensions, with many viewing the crackdown as a threat to Turkey’s already fragile democracy.