In a major speech Thursday (August 14), chairman of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Özgür Özel made major allegations of bribery related to the ongoing imprisonment of Murat Kapki, a businessman arrested in connection with raids on Istanbul’s opposition officials in recent months.

Özel had hinted at the announcement in a political rally in Istanbul’s Bayrampaşa district Wednesday evening, saying he would be making ‘bombshell allegations’ the following day.

According to Özel’s Thursday announcement as well as Kapki’s own statements on the matter, the imprisoned businessman was reportedly approached by Mücahit Birinci, a former affiliate of Turkey’s ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP), who suggested that Kapki pay $2 million as well as sign a statement containing damning allegations towards the CHP.

Despite multiple declarations of ‘effective remorse’ in recent months, Kapki has remained behind bars since........

© Medyascope