10.03.2026 14:10
On the second day of the corruption trial involving 402 defendants against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, tensions rose again. Ekrem İmamoğlu, who faces a prison sentence of up to 2,000 years, took the floor before the defenses and made a speech at the podium. İmamoğlu stated, "The name of this indictment is a slander indictment. You did not grant me the right to speak yesterday. I am the presidential candidate of the first party in this country. I am the presidential candidate of the party that will be in power in the next election. I submit my right to take multiple turns to your discretion."
The second hearing of the corruption case against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), which involves 402 defendants including Ekrem İmamoğlu, started with tension, just like the first trial. Before the defendant's defenses began, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who took the floor, came to the podium and stated, "I am the presidential candidate of the party that will be in power in the first election. Giving me the floor will not cost you anything."
"I THINK YOU NEED TO LISTEN BEFORE MAKING YOUR DECISION"
In the case with 402 defendants, 106 of whom are detained, a prison sentence of up to 2,352 years is sought for İmamoğlu, who used the following expressions in his speech:
"This is one of the most important political cases in the history of the Republic. Of course, you will make a procedural decision and implement it. You mentioned a list. A part of it was published yesterday, then it was removed from the screen in that chaos, and then the lawyers somehow obtained it. This is your decision, but I think you need to listen before making your decision. You did not do this, it is your discretion, but I believe that saying 'I do not listen to you' or 'I do not give you the floor' is not in accordance with the noble Turkish judiciary. If Turkish justice is 'Justice is the foundation of the property,' and if it is the foundation of the state, then with your perspective there, no one here is guilty. You are performing a sacred duty on behalf of every friend here, an independent, fair, and ultimately responsible duty to make a decision. The mayor of 16 million Istanbulites is here, in front of you, in your presence. Saying 'I do not listen to your suggestion' creates a trust issue for this court from the start. Ultimately, who can interfere with the decision you will make there? You will make a decision, and you will say, 'I made this decision, I will do it with this list.' Of course, everyone will comply with this, or somehow the order here will work, but saying 'I do not listen to İmamoğlu, I do not want to hear this suggestion' will create problems for you.
"I AM THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF THE PARTY THAT WILL BE IN POWER IN THE FIRST ELECTION"
There are dozens of our friends here who do not know why they are here. Just yesterday, there are people who came out of the hospital... What are you testing some with? This cannot be. It is called slander. We are facing a system under pressure. My purpose in coming here is not to occupy the podium. We are polite people. I am the presidential candidate of the first party of this country. I am the presidential candidate of the party that will be in power in the first election.
If the presidential candidate does not speak here, the world is watching us, this cannot be. You lose nothing by giving me 15-20 minutes of the floor. Otherwise, I have no intention of holding a rally here. The decision will already come with you for a lifetime. As it was in the past. Please organize the trial process. Every page of this case is İmamoğlu... I will speak at the beginning and at the end... You should not only listen to Ekrem İmamoğlu first or last, you should even listen in between. You will still make the decision you know best at the end.
"THE PROSECUTOR WHO LOOKS LIKE A POLITICIAN CALLED THIS 'THE CORRUPTION OF THE CENTURY'"
The prosecutor who looks like a politician stood up and called this 'the corruption of the century.' It will not work if you do not listen to us, I will be a victim... He called us 'the corrupt of the century'... Can there be such shamelessness in such a century? The court is the place where a person feels the safest. I know the value of the soldier and the flag. Why are you putting us against each other? My heart does not accept the fact that our soldier is put in this situation here. I believe that there should be multiple rights to speak on behalf of Ekrem İmamoğlu throughout this process, both at the beginning and at the end. Because I think you will need Ekrem İmamoğlu's comments for you to understand the issue well."
"JUDGE, PLEASE BE PATIENT, YOU WILL JUDGE US FOR 12 YEARS"
The presiding judge intervened, saying, "Mr. Ekrem, let's wrap it up. Please let’s take the request." İmamoğlu continued:
“Judge, please be patient. You will judge us for 12 years... This is what the prosecution says. Let our gendarmerie friends perform their duties elsewhere, let us conduct the process here with dignity. Do not do this... We are in the year 2026. Look around us, it is a fireball. War is turning over our heads. We are in the blessed month of Ramadan. Turkey has only one understanding of leadership, peace at home, peace in the world. That peace is achieved through fair, equal, and free struggle.
"I PRESENT MY RIGHT TO MULTIPLE SPEAKING TO YOUR DISCRETION"
My last word is this. We are in the blessed month of Ramadan. My election was canceled while I was going to iftar during Ramadan, and that was by the President elected by the will of this nation, with his own mouth. Similarly, my diploma was canceled during Ramadan. Later, during Ramadan, just after dawn, my house was raided. Now we are holding a hearing here during Ramadan. Look at what is being lived and experienced during Ramadan. This list you made is wrong, the application is wrong. I present my right to multiple speaking to your discretion.
The hearing was adjourned until 1:30 PM.
Before İmamoğlu's speech, the events that took place on the second day of the hearing were as follows:
CHAIR TENSION RAISED THE TEMPERATURE
After the tense first hearing, the standoff between İmamoğlu and the judge continued in the second session. The "chair" debate that took place in the courtroom on the second day of the hearing led to tension. When the gendarmerie wanted to place an extra chair in front of Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was sitting by the corridor, the tension in the hall rose.
"ARE YOU GOING TO TAPE MY MOUTH?"
After İmamoğlu was brought in, the gendarmerie placed a chair in front of him to prevent him from going to the podium. İmamoğlu said, “Are you going to tape my mouth, who are you blocking? The judge will come and explain why he put it there. I am standing, I am not sitting. There is no such order. Judge, it is a disgrace for you to do this. It has stuck to your forehead.”
DISPUTE BETWEEN THE PRESIDING JUDGE AND İMAMOĞLU
Presiding Judge: That is your discretion.
İmamoğlu: Who did you get instructions from?
Presiding Judge: We did not receive instructions from anyone.
İmamoğlu: If you are going to act as a judge, if you are going to represent the noble Turkish judiciary, you must defend our rights as well. I came to protect you too.
Presiding Judge: Let's not get into unnecessary polemics, Mr. Ekrem, I do not need your protection.
İmamoğlu: Why are you afraid, I might call my lawyer, why are you not allowing?
Presiding Judge: This is not a place where you will call your lawyer. We have not been able to conduct the trial since yesterday because of you.
Upon this, the lawyers started to chant slogans.
Presiding Judge: Why are you shouting? Nothing changes when you shout this much, I can hear you anyway. The purpose of the application there was to give priority to the lawyers who have power of attorney. Yesterday we received complaints from the lawyers who had power of attorney with us. We consulted with the bar president and we reversed our decision.
In the heart of the city, there is a beautiful park where people come to relax and enjoy nature. The trees are tall and green, providing shade on sunny days. Children play on the grass, and couples stroll hand in hand. It is a peaceful oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life.