In the trial of Kılıçdaroğlu, for whom a political ban is being sought, İmamoğlu will not be present.

Former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is appearing before the judge tomorrow.

Kılıçdaroğlu, who faces a political ban and a request for 11 years and 8 months in prison, will attend the hearing in person.

İMAMOĞLU WILL NOT BE PRESENT

It has been stated that Kılıçdaroğlu will attend the hearing with his wife and children, and that CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş will also be with them; however, it has been expressed that Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu will not attend the hearing.

It was noted that İmamoğlu would be abroad due to a panel in Germany, and therefore could not attend the hearing.

WHILE İMAMOĞLU WAS ON TRIAL, KILIÇDAROĞLU WAS IN GERMANY

The fact that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was in Germany during the trial in which Ekrem İmamoğlu was sentenced to 2 years, 7 months, and 15 days in prison had caused discussions.

BACKGROUND OF THE CASE

On November 26, 2014, during a CHP Istanbul regional meeting at the Beşiktaş Mustafa Kemal Cultural Center, CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu was accused of "publicly insulting a public official" due to statements made in his speech, and a prison sentence of 1 year and 2 months to 2 years and 4 months, as well as a political ban, is being sought against him.

In his speech, Kılıçdaroğlu stated, "The biggest corruption in the history of the Republic occurred on December 17 and 25. We witnessed how a government looted a state. Eventually, an investigation commission was established. The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Mr. Cemil Çiçek, applies to the court. He says, 'Impose a publication ban regarding the commission.' He says, 'Impose a publication ban regarding the commission established in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.' And he gets a decision from the court. Since when has the Grand National Assembly of Turkey become the protector of thieves, Mr. Cemil Çiçek? Can you explain this? Is this the duty of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey? Your duty is something else. It is to protect the reputation of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Who are you backing by imposing a publication ban?"