During Özgür Özel's speech, the slogan "President İmamoğlu" was chanted.

The Mayor of Beşiktaş Municipality in Istanbul, Rıza Akpolat, who is a member of the Republican People's Party (CHP), was detained on charges of "membership in a criminal organization," "manipulating a tender," and "unlawfully acquiring property."

As a vigil began for Akpolat in front of the municipality, Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and CHP Chairman Özgür Özel went to the municipal building.

"THESE ACTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN OUT OF FEAR OF LOSING TURKEY"

Speaking here, Ekrem İmamoğlu stated, "This is a mind that does not recognize the election. These actions are being carried out out of fear of losing Turkey. On one hand, there is a perspective of opening up and reconciling, while on the other hand, steps are being taken by playing games with the people's minds.

We say this from here: No one is above the law. However, this practice is unlawful. This is the use of the judiciary for political purposes. The issue is neither Esenyurt nor Beşiktaş. The issue is the strategy and form of a totalitarian mind regarding the process. Has an AKP Mayor ever been taken down like this in 25 years? That company also took over the work of the Council. Will you do the same for the Grand National Assembly of Turkey?" he expressed.

"WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO DESIGN THE BALLOT"

İmamoğlu also stated, "We will respond politically to political attacks. We will not allow them to design the ballot. We will put an end to their dreams of entering a competition without rivals. We will see together that we will erase them from Turkey's history and send them home," he said.

"THE INSTRUCTION CAME FROM THE TOP"

Following İmamoğlu, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel addressed those gathered in front of the municipality. In his speech, Özel said, "The aim is to carry out a character assassination through Rıza Akpolat and Ahmet Özer. This instruction for discrediting came from the very top of the state. The goal is character assassination. Is there a public official who visited the television that first aired the footage? Look," he said.

"YOU WILL ASK THE KAYYUM, NOT AHMET ÖZER, FOR ACCOUNT"

In his statements, Özel said, "We looked back and saw that this company had won the tender in Esenyurt. Look at the mess it has made. They waited because there is a two-month objection period. Ahmet Özer was sent to Silivri without signing anything. But the appointed kayyum examined it, saw no issues, and allowed it. If the account of the tender is to be investigated, you will ask the kayyum you sent, not Ahmet Özer.

I am addressing Erdoğan. You have sent this guillotine here. You said, 'Stir up Istanbul.' This incompetent, who lies with these crimes, is blaming Ahmet Özer, whom you made a deputy governor overnight and then appointed as kayyum," he expressed.

Özel concluded his speech by saying, "If they think that starting from Esenyurt and connecting to Beşiktaş, step by step, they will go towards Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has never been defeated in his political life, that job is not that easy. They look at how a politician came, not how they leave. You came with democracy, but if you try to break the wrist you couldn't bend with other powers while leaving, you will go down in history like this. Keep your hands off Beşiktaş," he said.

'PRESIDENT İMAMOĞLU' SLOGANS

During Özgür Özel's speech, immediately after his words, "If they think this will go to İmamoğlu, they are mistaken," the crowd gathered in front of Beşiktaş Municipality began chanting "President İmamoğlu," which drew attention.