EYLEM SONBAHAR
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu appeared before a judge for the second time Monday in a case where prosecutors are seeking a sentence on charges of “threat,” “insulting a public official,” and “targeting individuals involved in the fight against terrorism” over his remarks about Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek. The court hearing, held inside the Marmara Closed Prison compound in Silivri, a district on the western outskirts of Istanbul, was adjourned to July 16.
The case stems from İmamoğlu’s criticism during a panel discussion titled “Modern Law and the Politicization of the Judiciary,” in which he condemned the January 20 police detention of Cem Aydın, the head of the youth wing of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). His remarks about Gürlek prompted the criminal charges.
İmamoğlu was greeted with chants of support from the courtroom audience, including “Turkey is proud of you,” “Everything will be great,” and “There is no salvation alone, either all of us or none of us.” Among those attending the hearing were CHP Chair Özgür Özel, İmamoğlu’s wife Dilek İmamoğlu, his son Selim, several parliament members, Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş, and dozens of observers.
During his defense statement, İmamoğlu opened with condolences over the recent death of CHP member Ferdi Zeyrek, describing him as “a person who left good feelings behind.” He added, “We are here in a courtroom today, but we know Turkey has far more serious problems. The judiciary should serve to raise the people’s sense of justice. We should be in Çağlayan [Istanbul’s main courthouse], but instead, we are here. I cannot accept or internalize being tried in this manner.”
Calling the proceedings an act of punishment rather than a legitimate trial, İmamoğlu stated, “Why are my friends and I imprisoned? Because we won the election against those who believe that winning Istanbul means winning Turkey. I’m here because I became a presidential candidate. I ask our people: Are we being tried? No. We are not being tried. We are being punished in a process that has imprisoned us and subjected us to judicial harassment for months. This is not a trial — this is punishment. I shout from here: the will of the people is also being punished.”
He continued, “What keeps a country standing is not weapons or wealth — it is justice, rights, and the rule of law. Where there is no justice, there is no investment, peace, or prosperity. I promise a future and justice for everyone’s children. Saying ‘the judiciary is independent’ every day doesn’t make it so. No child should be taken from their home at 5 a.m., and no one should be treated like a terrorist.”
Referring again to what he called political persecution, İmamoğlu said, “My diploma, which is as legitimate as my mother’s milk, is being canceled for the sake of political power. My social media is banned, my photo is banned — but know this: you will never erase me from the hearts of the people.” As the courtroom applauded, the presiding judge warned that if there were further applause, the room would be cleared.
İmamoğlu ended his remarks by calling on authorities to “abandon lawlessness and the use of enemy law.”
Following his defense statement, İmamoğlu’s lawyers requested additional time to respond to the prosecutor’s final opinion. The court briefly recessed and later ruled that only İmamoğlu’s legal team would be granted time to submit their defense statements. The hearing was adjourned to 10 a.m. on July 16.
