04.02.2026 12:12
The first statement from Dilek İmamoğlu came after her brother Ali Kaya was detained in a drug operation. İmamoğlu said, "Remove your hands from my family! With great patience and responsibility, we are fighting to ensure that what has happened does not turn into a campaign of targeting 'through families'..."
The investigation conducted by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the crimes of "manufacturing and trafficking of narcotic or stimulant substances," "facilitating the use of narcotic or stimulant substances," and "purchasing, accepting, or possessing narcotic or stimulant substances for use or using narcotic or stimulant substances" is ongoing.
As part of the investigation, Dilek İmamoğlu, the wife of Ekrem İmamoğlu, had her brother Ali Kaya taken into custody. Dilek İmamoğlu's older brother Cevat Kaya was also arrested in the İBB investigation in April 2025.
"KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY FAMILY"
In his statement, İmamoğlu said that his family was being targeted and used the following expressions:
"Keep your hands off my family! First, my beloved wife Ekrem İmamoğlu and his colleagues were targeted. Then our families... With great patience and responsibility, we are fighting to ensure that what is happening does not turn into a campaign of targeting 'through families.' Despite this, our family is persistently being drawn into this process. After my father-in-law, my children, and my brother, now my other brother..."
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"NEITHER CONSCIENCE NOR LAW"
İmamoğlu stated that the actions taken are based solely on political calculations:
"Discrediting, creating perception in the public, and resorting to all kinds of slander and defamation methods for political calculations are being employed. This is incompatible with conscience, law, or humanity."
"PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE IS A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE"
In her statement, Dilek İmamoğlu emphasized the fundamental principles of the rule of law and stated that the presumption of innocence has been violated:
"The presumption of innocence and the right not to be subjected to public disgrace are indispensable and inviolable fundamental principles of a rule of law. These rights cannot be arbitrarily undermined for political motives. Any process in which families are targeted to exert pressure is not legitimate. The law should be enforced not through rumors and manipulations, but solely with concrete evidence, fairly and transparently."
"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"
İmamoğlu stated that his call is not only directed at his own family but at everyone who believes in the law:
"This call is not just for my family. It is for everyone who needs the law, justice, and the minimum guarantees of democracy. Enough is enough! Put an end to the dirty scenarios being carried out through families! Stop making the law an instrument of politics! Fair, clean, and lawful processes must be implemented immediately!"