11.04.2025 11:50
After the operations targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested, is appearing in court today for three separate cases. During the hearing, İmamoğlu will also be questioned about the "money counting" footage recorded at the CHP Istanbul Provincial Presidency.
Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested and suspended from his duties in an operation against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, will appear in court today for three separate cases. In the first case to be held at Silivri Prison Campus, İmamoğlu will be tried for allegedly targeting Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek.
7 YEARS IN PRISON SOUGHT FOR THOSE WORDS In the first case to be held in Silivri, İmamoğlu will be tried on charges of 'threat' and 'targeting individuals involved in the fight against terrorism' due to his statements directed at Akın Gürlek. The indictment seeks a prison sentence of up to 7 years and 4 months and deprivation of political rights for İmamoğlu. After his detention, intense security measures were taken at the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan. It was announced that the hearing was moved to Silivri to ensure that the measures do not hinder the courthouse's operations.
"WILL THE BEGINNING OF THE MOVIE BE THE SAME, AND THE END BE THE SAME?" CHP Group Deputy Chairman Gökhan Günaydın drew attention to the transfer of the hearing to the 2nd courtroom of Silivri Open Prison Campus on his social media account, sharing the message, "I remember this courtroom from the Ergenekon trials. The beginning of the movie is the same, and the end will be the same!"
WHAT DID İMAMOĞLU SAY TO AKIN GÜRLEK? Speaking at a panel titled "Modern Law and the Politicization of Justice" organized by the Country Policies Foundation on January 20, İmamoğlu said about Akın Gürlek, "Look, chief prosecutor, I’m telling you. We will not be of any help to you; your mind is rotten... We will remove the mind that governs you from the minds of this nation to save even your children from these treatments. Don’t forget this. We will remove it so that no one knocks on your children's door, so that no one takes your children from their homes at the crack of dawn. We will uproot the paths and methods that pass through your mentality from every environment of this country so that we can ensure peace for your home and your children's future. This is our concern."
THE NEXT HEARING WILL BE IN BÜYÜKÇEKMECE For another case, İmamoğlu will appear before the judge at the Büyükçekmece Courthouse. In the case opened after the investigation initiated by the Ministry of Interior in 2023, İmamoğlu is accused of "interfering with a tender." In the ongoing trial at the 10th Criminal Court of First Instance in Büyükçekmece, İmamoğlu faces a prison sentence of 3 to 7 years and is sought to be punished with a political ban.
THEY WILL QUESTION THE "MONEY COUNTING" FOOTAGE In the last hearing, İmamoğlu will give a statement regarding the allegations related to the "money counting" footage recorded at the CHP Istanbul Provincial Presidency. 22 people, including İmamoğlu's team members, are being tried for "collecting donations in violation of the law."
THE OPERATION STARTED WITH THESE FOOTAGES These are the initial footages that led to the investigation accusing Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu of being the leader of a criminal organization. The footage dates back to 2019 and emerged before the local elections on March 31, 2024. They had brought two bags full of money and stacked bundles of banknotes on the table. The individuals in that footage include İBB Sports Club President Fatih Keleş, former Provincial Chairman Advisor Can Poyraz, and former CHP Provincial Vice President Özgür Nas...
The footage was leaked to the public, prompting the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to take action and initiate investigations. The CHP Istanbul Provincial Presidency confirmed the video and announced that it was recorded in the office of lawyer Gökhan Taşkapan. However, it was claimed that the video was related to the purchase of the provincial building in 2019. İmamoğlu, who is said to have assisted in transporting the money, also gave a statement as a suspect along with others during that period.
IT BECAME EVIDENCE OF THE OPERATION TARGETING İMAMOĞLU The investigation lasted for months and deepened over time. Those footages became evidence of the operation targeting İBB President İmamoğlu. According to the Chief Public Prosecutor's statement, it was indicated that Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was the head of a criminal organization, established a structure for personal gain, and forced business people to provide financial support. İmamoğlu faces allegations of receiving bribes and committing irregularities in municipal tenders. Among those detained in the investigation is İBB Sports Club President Fatih Keleş, who appeared in the money counting video.