23.03.2025 15:30
The DEM Party's Erzurum MP Meral Danış Beştaş stated that the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu is a clear intervention in the will of the people, saying, "This is not a legal matter; it is essentially a revenge operation. This decision is an attempt to eliminate democratic politics, silence the opposition, and intimidate society."
```html
Within the scope of the corruption investigation, 5 suspects were referred to the court for arrest on charges of "establishing and managing a criminal organization," "manipulating a tender," "receiving bribes," "extortion," and "seizing personal data." The proceedings for 84 suspects on charges of "being a member of a criminal organization," "receiving bribes," and "giving bribes" have been completed. The court ruled for the arrest of 48 suspects, including İBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu and Beylikdüzü Mayor Murat Çalık, while deciding to impose judicial control measures on 41 suspects. It has been learned that the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office will appeal some of the release decisions.
"INTIMIDATION ATTEMPT"
Co-Spokesperson of the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) and DEM Party Erzurum Deputy Meral Danış Beştaş stated regarding the arrest decisions, "This is not a legal matter; it is essentially a revenge operation. This decision is an attempt to eliminate democratic politics, silence the opposition, and intimidate society."
Beştaş noted the following in a post on her social media account:
"The arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu and his colleagues is a clear intervention against the will of the people; we do not accept it. This is not a legal matter; it is essentially a revenge operation. There can be no justice in a country where the judiciary and law are instrumentalized; there is only oppression, tyranny, and cruelty. This decision is an attempt to eliminate democratic politics, silence the opposition, and intimidate society. It is an attempt to shackle democracy. But we have seen this many times. Those who try to usurp the will of the people have never won, nor has the truth ever been concealed by oppression. We will not remain silent against this lawlessness. We will stand up for democracy and peace, resist with solidarity, and fight with determination.
```