19.08.2026 20:20
During the 67th hearing of the trial in which 414 defendants, 53 of them arrested, are being tried within the scope of the corruption investigation against IBB, striking moments occurred. While harsh words were exchanged between Ekrem Imamoglu and Cemal Unes over the '500 thousand lira bribe' allegation, the court president had to intervene in the 'villa' dispute between Mustafa Keles and Imamoglu.
The 67th hearing of the case opened within the scope of the corruption investigation against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) was held by the Istanbul 33rd Heavy Penal Court in the new courtroom located within the Marmara Closed Prison complex in Silivri.
At the hearing, where 414 defendants, including 53 detainees, including Ekrem Imamoglu, were tried, the defenses of the non-detained defendants were heard. During the defenses, mutual arguments occurred between the parties over allegations some defendants made about Imamoglu.
"500 THOUSAND LIRA BRIBE" ALLEGATION At the hearing, Cemal Unes claimed that Imamoglu asked him for 500 thousand lira in connection with his election campaigns and the zoning process. Imamoglu, on the other hand, asked Unes several times whether his claim was true.
The following dialogue took place between Imamoglu and Unes:
Ekrem Imamoglu: Are you sure, Brother Cemal? Are you sure I asked you for money?Cemal Unes: You did, my President.Ekrem Imamoglu: Are you sure? I'm asking you.Cemal Unes: Of course I'm sure. Why?Ekrem Imamoglu: I asked you for money, and you brought the money, gave it, and sent it.Cemal Unes: Well, under those conditions, you said, "Should I enter the election?" You said. To a place... You even had your center. You said, "Money is needed here." You said. 500 thousand. I said, "You should more or less know my situation. I don't have the means to pay such money. I just finished the construction, I'm already in debt."Ekrem Imamoglu: And I told you you would give 500 thousand lira, is that right?Cemal Unes: Yes. You directed me to Mehmet Cakircioglu. We made a promissory note from him, five of them.Ekrem Imamoglu: My God, my God. What a pity. What can I say to you? May God help you.Cemal Unes: May He help you, not me. What can we say?"VILLA" ALLEGATION INCREASED TENSION IN THE COURTROOM In the later part of the hearing, a heated argument took place between Mustafa Keles, a partner of Kelesoglu Construction, and Imamoglu. Keles claimed that Imamoglu asked him for a villa and requested that the villa in question be built in someone else's name. Imamoglu reacted strongly, rejecting Keles's claim.
Mustafa Keles: Did you or did you not ask for a villa and say, "You will build it in that man's name"?Ekrem Imamoglu: Look at this lie! Look at this lie... You are a vile slanderer! You are a slanderer, I refer these words and slanders of yours back to you. May God reform you!Mustafa Keles: May God reform you too...Ekrem Imamoglu: God cannot reform you; it's tough!Mustafa Keles: Your words may work on everyone, but they don't work on me!THE ARGUMENT CONTINUED WITH THE "PHONE CALL" The argument between the two figures continued with Keles's claim that Imamoglu had called him on the phone. Imamoglu said he never called him on the phone.
Ekrem Imamoglu: Allow me, allow me, I'm asking. You weren't convinced, it's over! "I called you and hung up on you." I never called you on the phone. Look, I never called you!Mustafa Keles: But there are records.Ekrem Imamoglu: Look, of course, of course. Look, you can check, I never called. Because why would I?Mustafa Keles: There are records.Ekrem Imamoglu: Because why? I know you very well, Mustafa Keles. That's why, first of all, it's a lie, slander against me! I condemn you. Saying things like "I asked you for a villa"... And you also say, "I had no financial dealings with you for 5 years," did you say that just now about Ekrem Imamoglu?Mustafa Keles "YOU CANNOT CALL ME A 'CONTEMPTIBLE MAN'" As the argument continued, the court president intervened after Imamoglu used the words "contemptible man" towards Keles.
Ekrem Imamoglu: Contemptible man.Judge: Ekrem Bey, Ekrem Bey, don't look at the defendant like that... Intervene...Mustafa Keles: You are the contemptible man! You cannot call me a "contemptible man"! I am older than you!HEARING LASTING 13 HOURS ADJOURNED The argument in the hall was ended with the intervention of the presiding judge, and the defenses of the non-detained defendants continued throughout the day. At the hearing, which lasted approximately 13 hours, the statements of 15 non-detained defendants and their lawyers were heard. As the defenses were not completed, the court adjourned the hearing to continue hearing the remaining defendants.