19.08.2026 11:51
In today's continued hearing of the case with 414 defendants, 53 of whom are detained, including the dismissed Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the conversation between the defendants drew attention. Imamoglu confronted defendant Cemal Unes, who claimed Imamoglu asked him for 500 thousand lira. The dialogue between the two left its mark on the trial. Here are the details...
The trial of 414 defendants, including 53 arrested, initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on the allegation of an "Imamoglu criminal organization for profit," including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) President Ekrem Imamoglu, who was removed from office, continues at the courtroom opposite the Marmara Closed Penal Institution by the Istanbul 33rd Heavy Penal Court.
IMAMOGLU CONFRONTED WITH DEFENDANT
Today at the hearing, defendant Cemal Unes made his defense. Unes claimed that Imamoglu asked him for 500 thousand lira. Following this claim, Imamoglu directed a question to the defendant.
The dialogue between the two during the confrontation left its mark on the trial.
THE DIALOGUE THAT MARKED THE HEARING
The dialogue between Ekrem Imamoglu and Cemal Unes is as follows:
Ekrem Imamoglu: Cemal Abi, are you sure? I mean, are you sure I asked you for money, is that so?
Cemal Unes: You did, sir.
Ekrem Imamoglu: I mean, are you sure I asked you for money.
Cemal Unes: I am sure, sir.
Ekrem Imamoglu: I mean, are you sure? I am asking you.
Cemal Unes: Of course I'm sure, why?
Ekrem Imamoglu: I asked you for money, and you brought the money, gave it, sent it.
Cemal Unes: Well, under those conditions, you said... I have this in my memory: You said, 'Should I run for election?' somewhere. You even had your headquarters there; you mentioned an investment, something. You said, 'We need money here,' 500 thousand lira. I told you, 'You should more or less know my situation; I don't have the means to pay such money. I just finished construction and I'm already in debt.'
Ekrem Imamoglu: And I told you that you will give 500 thousand lira, is that so?
Cemal Unes: Yes. You directed me to Mehmet Cakilcioglu. We made a promissory note from him, five of them, that is.
Ekrem Imamoglu: My God, my God... So you also made a promissory note...
Cemal Unes: We made a promissory note, yes, exactly so.
Ekrem Imamoglu: My God, my God. Oh, what a pity, what can I say to you? May God help you.
Cemal Unes: Not just mine, may He help you too. What else can we say?