The full text of İmamoğlu's defense, who appeared before the judge in Silivri, has been revealed.

11.04.2025 23:30

Ekrem İmamoğlu, who appeared before the judge today for the first time at the Marmara Prison in Silivri, where he is being held in custody, shared the full text of his defense during the trial in which he is being prosecuted for "targeting individuals fighting against terrorism," "insult," and "threats" due to his statements regarding Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek.

Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested and suspended from his position as part of the 'corruption' investigation against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, appeared before a judge for the first time in the case where he is being prosecuted for 'targeting individuals fighting against terrorism', 'insult', and 'threat' due to his statements regarding Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek. In the first hearing, the court decided to send the case file to the prosecutor for the preparation of the opinion and postponed the hearing to June 16.

THE FULL TEXT OF HIS DEFENSE HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

The full text of İmamoğlu's defense, in which he faces a request for imprisonment of up to 7 years and 4 months, deprivation of the right to vote and be elected, and disqualification from public office, was published on his personal website.

İmamoğlu also shared his defense on his social media account with the message, "Let my nation read my defense that I made in today's court," as follows:

"I WONDER WHY I AM HERE?"

"While I am here today, I recall that years ago, I followed trials here 10-15 times in the context of the Ergenekon delusion and fabricated conspiracy cases, witnessing the endless struggles of people who were subjected to injustice and lawlessness. During that time, I personally witnessed how these people and their families were in sorrow, how they were torn apart, lost their hopes for life, and even lost their lives in the processes involving these different conspiracy cases.

Although it was not an administrative duty at that time, my political sensitivity, along with my political role, brought me here for days. And despite being a businessman, I was here with a sensitivity to understand the process, to witness how conscience, reason, understanding, tolerance, and justice were applied, looking into the eyes of the people here. I can express that I learned many lessons. In that context, I regret to say that these halls have made us experience days that have left no beautiful marks in our history in the name of justice.

On behalf of the great Turkish nation, I expressed my expectation that the esteemed Turkish judiciary would make correct and good decisions and form good opinions. Because we are a society that believes in the understanding that "The religion of the state is justice." At the same time, we are people who strive to be representatives of this tradition for thousands of years, in a state where "Let your people live so that the state lives." This effort and this wish form the basis of our presence and existence here.

Of course, you are sitting here on behalf of the judiciary. You are here with the responsibility to make decisions on behalf of the judiciary and the esteemed Turkish judiciary of the country. But I am also here as the Mayor of the most ancient city in this country and the world. I am the Mayor of Istanbul, which is the apple of our eye in our blessed homeland Turkey, where 16 million people bow respectfully before the world, and which has served as the capital of three empires. I am here in this sense, and I am truly saddened to be here. Of course, I am here in an atmosphere that has saddened our nation with baseless, slanderous, and unfortunately, unjustified reasons, which have devastated hopes, ruined the economy, and left people hopeless.

Consider that there is unfortunately a practical connection between the reason for my presence in Silivri and the process that operates as a result of it. I regret to say that the feelings underlying the accusations you just mentioned, which started with my speech at a panel on January 20, have shown me how accurate my concerns were, with the realization that they have brought me to Silivri today.

In that context, I will express my response to the accusations against me very clearly and decisively here. But first, I cannot help but question, "Why am I here?" Why am I here? Why am I giving a statement in your presence? Or why am I making my defense regarding my accusation?

"I AM HERE BECAUSE I STOOD AGAINST THE CHANNEL, LIES, LOOTING, AND ALSO THE RENTS"

Because I, in the city of 16 million Istanbulites, have won three elections in an environment that someone or some people claim ownership of as 'My Love Istanbul' and accepted it as their own property. I have won a revolutionary election that will go down in the history of Turkish democracy in golden letters regarding the transfer of a city that belongs to the people, to the people themselves, proving that the will of the nation is valid against this understanding, and that the principle of "sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation" has been fulfilled. I am here in Silivri as a result of the strong will that I have shown against the understanding that "whoever wins Istanbul wins Turkey," despite all the obstacles, the will of the people has been reflected in that ballot box.

And in this hall in Silivri, I am listing my responses to your case. Of course, I am also here because I have entered the hearts of 86 million people and will appear before them as a presidential candidate in the next election.

This feeling is not limited to just the phrase or sentence "presidential candidate." Because in the history of Turkey, not to mention the world, 15.5 million people voted in a primary election… In an environment where perhaps everyone's spouse, friend, or relative voted, from the farthest east to the farthest west, from the southernmost to the northernmost of Turkey, where people conveyed their love and opinions to me with smiles, with good intentions, even with the beautiful lines of children who could be called babies, I am here today because I obtained my identity as a "presidential candidate" in a democracy festival where 15.5 million people voted in a primary election.

Being tried here or being tried in the Silivri Campus in the atmosphere created by the political climate in Turkey is certainly sad. But I want you all to know that I am in the comfort and ease of speaking in front of my nation.

Honorable judge, esteemed members;

Of course, with this answer to the question "Why am I here?"… So who am I, and why am I in such a targeted or focal situation? The answer is actually very clear…

Since the moment I became the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, I am here today because I stood against the channel, lies, looting, and also against rents and every issue that is against the nation.

And I am here today because I have always defended this without ever giving up. At the same time, I am here for babies, children, nurseries, dormitories, scholarships, youth, university youth, unemployed youth, finding jobs for young people, women, mothers, and the Mother Card.

Imagine; I am the Mayor who has enabled millions of mothers to put a card in their pockets and travel around Istanbul for free with their children aged 0-4... What a great honor. And by saying "Goodness is contagious," I aim to spread this across Turkey. Imagine; I am a person who has created an Istanbul where tens of millions of people eat three meals a day for 40 lira under difficult conditions and has facilitated the spread of this goodness throughout Turkey.

Is it just the City Restaurant or daycare? No. At the same time, I am here because I have established an understanding that brings historical records in the metro, provides the most beautiful green spaces of Istanbul to the people of Istanbul, equalizes its people, equalizes its children, equalizes its babies, tears apart partisanship, uproots that disgusting feeling from within institutions, carries meritocracy into institutions, and mobilizes any resources at hand to offer people a beautiful future along with their savings.

"WHAT A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WANT DOES NOT MATTER, WHAT THE NATION SAYS MATTERS"

Because the main mind and the process, unfortunately, is dominated and pressured by the mind that manifests the idea that "whoever wins Istanbul, wins Turkey" or "whoever loses Istanbul, loses Turkey." That is why I am in Silivri today, expressing myself in this hall within this campus, where unfortunately the troubled memories and situations of Turkey's esteemed Turkish judiciary are experienced, in your presence. But this won't last long. Frankly, Turkey has experienced many trials. We live in a land where what the nation does not want is never present. Thank God. Even in the most difficult conditions, when three or five heroes emerge, the nation has rallied behind them and fought for independence in these lands.

That is why in this country, in these lands, what a handful of people want does not matter, what the nation says matters. The nation is great. And no one should doubt the greatness of this nation even a little. I do not. I am astonished at those who do.

Imagine; Ekrem İmamoğlu is taken into custody. Ekrem İmamoğlu is kept in detention for 5 days. Keeping Ekrem İmamoğlu in detention for 5 days is a big deal! An investigation is being conducted. A decision is made in court, and he is sent to Silivri. Who is Ekrem İmamoğlu? Ekrem İmamoğlu is someone who has walked barefoot since childhood, has roamed in fields, grass, meadows, mountains, and forests, has seen every environment, comes from a village of 40 houses, has benefited from the blessings of the Republic just like you, and has held one of the most beautiful positions in Turkey, someone who knows the blessings of this land very well, who understands the sanctity of serving the blessings of this land, who knows that serving its people is serving the Right, and has always included in his prayers not to be ashamed of his family, the land he was born in, Trabzon, the city he lives in, Istanbul, and this nation. Therefore, the mind that keeps us in detention, then, with that oppression, that hardship, like a police raid to a place we would go if called, lines up hundreds of police at his door...

What kind of tradition is this? What kind of understanding is this? Is it possible to sustain the greatness of the esteemed Turkish judiciary with such an understanding? Can it be? Which person would want to experience this? Which person can endure this? Even the worst criminal should not be subjected to this. Or if there is a possibility that a crime has been committed, and it has not yet been clarified, that cannot be done. Therefore, with suspicion or with the alleged crime, what benefit do such applications and attitudes have for our country's present and future, for God's sake? Who makes these decisions? Who implements these decisions? Which willpower forces this? This is what I am pursuing and will continue to pursue, and I will never give up on this. The question of 'What has happened to these conditions?'... Could it have been improved? It could have been.

"LET TRT BROADCAST OUR CASES TO THE GREAT TURKISH NATION"

For example, TRT could have beautifully broadcasted this hearing. "May it be cursed" in the prayers of people, regarding the taxes going to TRT... Ekrem İmamoğlu, for example... He is being tried. Thank God I do not watch television by chance. My spouse is here, she can testify. We have not watched TV at home for nearly 20 years. But now I am looking at TRT in my room. Regarding the dignity, honor, spouse, and family of Ekrem İmamoğlu...

Oh for God's sake, does TRT make news that slanders, dirties, and tries to discredit through the state channel TRT? When I was a child, at the age of 6-7, an uncle who came from abroad brought a TV home. I grew up watching the TRT opening page for hours before it opened. Or I was the child who stood in front of TRT and sang the National Anthem when TRT's broadcast was closing. Isn't it a shame?

Isn't it a shame for Anadolu Agency? A news agency established during the struggle for independence, to be a country where a handful of people's political will continues to be sustained...

Can this be endured? Let TRT come, at least let a little bit of our speeches, our cases be broadcasted to the great Turkish nation. Let the nation watch, let the real conviction be revealed. It is a shame, it is a sin. There is no point in placing dynamite under the feelings and spirituality of the nation. In this sense, I wish TRT, if it has not done so today, to broadcast my speeches here in future hearings and possible struggles for rights, and I entrust this to the esteemed Turkish judiciary from here. I want to emphasize that this will have great value and benefits for the future of our Turkey.

"DON'T DO THIS TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE"

Dear Judge and esteemed members;

Let me say this in your presence: You mentioned the accusation against me. Of course, I want to express this. On January 20, we were in a panel with our esteemed Chairman in a hall in Kadıköy. And we were going to make speeches in that hall in Kadıköy. We were very eager to start the day beautifully. But again, as I just expressed, before the sun rose, in an unconstitutional, unlawful manner, a child, a General President of the Youth Branch, whose family I know, whom I have known since elementary school, whom I see as my own child... I look at every child with the eyes of a parent. I see it that way. Every child of Istanbul is my child. That is why I opened dormitories for 6000 young people at a price that is one-tenth of normal conditions for university students. That is why I provide scholarships for 100,000 young people a year. That is why I see every child as my own child, and I have brought kindergartens where 13-14 thousand children receive education to this city, half of which are free. Our goal is to increase that to 150.

That is why I look at children and young people with the eyes of a parent.

That is why I condemn the oppression against the detained university students, the people I look at with the eyes of a parent, and I find it wrong. It is wrong. Don't do this to the young people. Let the remaining ones be released.

It is truly a shame and a sin for our future. No young person should be subjected to this. No young person should be treated this way under the guise of freedom of expression or the freedom to express themselves. That is why I have always raised this cry, and I will continue to do so.

I will stand by anyone who is subjected to injustice. I will stand by anyone who is subjected to lawlessness. I will never give up on this. Nothing can stop me. No power can stop me. I only fear the Creator. I seek refuge in the Creator. I also seek refuge in my nation. What my nation says is what matters to me.

"WHERE IS THE THREAT IN THIS? WHERE IS THE INSULT IN THIS?"

In this context, with these feelings, if you call my young brother to take his statement today, he will come. Who has ever been called to give a statement and not gone, for God's sake? You call for a statement, he will come. You will pile police at his door, take him as if he were being arrested, bring him, and keep him waiting to give a statement. What kind of oppression is this? Is this how we treat the children of the nation? Well, does it hurt me when this happens? It does hurt. Has my heart burned? Just as it burns today, it has burned. Yes, I expressed my feelings at that panel. So what did I say? "Look, Chief Prosecutor, I am telling you: We, even for your children - it would be of no benefit to you, your mind is rotten - we will remove the mind that governs you from the minds of this nation so that no one knocks on your children's door. No one should take your children from their homes at the crack of dawn. We will uproot the paths and methods that pass through your nature, your mind, and your thoughts from every environment of this country so that we can ensure the peace of your home, your family, and your children's future. This is our concern." Where is the threat in this? Where is the insult in this?

If I were not someone who sees myself responsible for the future of every child in this country, 16 million people would not elect me as the Mayor of Istanbul. 16 million people would not rush to vote in the primary election and say, "Ekrem İmamoğlu should be my presidential candidate" when there was no ballot box. Because I am a person who bears that responsibility.

Whether you like it or not, whether you want it or not, I love your children, my brother. Whether you are a chief prosecutor, a judge, or the president... Whoever you are... I love the children and grandchildren of everyone.

I want the future of this country to be a good future. I will not give up on this. No one's furrowed brows, no one's bad words, no one's decisions, whether positive or negative, will affect me. I do not care, I do not care. We set out six to six and a half years ago after making peace. We are aware of the difficulties of every job. The Turkish nation knows what making peace means. In this context, we set out by making peace.

So I made this speech. What happened after that, for God's sake? I sat next to the Chairman. The first thing the Chairman said was: "I congratulate you for how humane a move this is, my president." I sat down, the applause had not yet ended. Not even a minute passed when one of the officials there came and showed us on the screen, "Breaking news: An investigation has been opened against İmamoğlu." Not even a minute passed! I ask you, I ask you: I ask you based on your conscience, your sense of justice, and the Supreme Turkish justice.

Did the prosecutor who initiated the investigation happen to watch Ekrem İmamoğlu's speech? Or did he act with an instruction to "Take immediate action on whatever you catch" after following Ekrem İmamoğlu's speeches?

Secondly; since there is no other possibility than the prosecutor who initiated the investigation listening to this speech live, he listened live. I do not understand technology, what system did he listen with? Did he rewind it immediately? Did he listen again? Did he listen a second time? If he did not listen, that is, if he said, "I made an immediate decision when I listened to something, let's open an investigation," is this possible in the application of a prosecutor in the Supreme Turkish judiciary? Is this done, is it correct? I ask this too.

Thirdly; instead of from the live broadcast - which is in the file - did someone give an instruction to start an investigation immediately by quoting from a website in a screenshot sent via WhatsApp? If so, the things written in a cut-off manner on that page have nothing to do with what I said. Has this been looked at? Has this been verified? Is this possible within those few minutes? How is this investigation opened? And again, the prosecutor's office that opened this investigation in seconds immediately said, "Let's serve this," and to broadcast it on that channel that disgraced the first letter of the known alphabet, "Let's go to breaking news."

Is it meaningful to broadcast on that channel that disgraced the first letter of our beautiful twenty-nine-letter alphabet in the name of service, in the name of justice, in the name of the Supreme Turkish judiciary? Is it correct? Is there any benefit to justice from this? I honestly do not know, Your Honor. I do not know. Is there? We hold councils. If someone leaks news outside with a message, excuse me, we kick them out of the hall. Does such a thing happen? Shall we send something immediately? Take a breath. If you are thinking of something for Ekrem İmamoğlu, it also needs to breathe. What kind of decision is this? What kind of announcement is this decision announced? Therefore, I felt the need to ask these four questions, not on my own behalf, but on behalf of the Supreme Turkish judiciary, for the proper conduct of this judicial process.

"MY LIFE HAS BEEN TRANSPARENT UNTIL NOW, AND IT WILL BE TRANSPARENT FROM NOW ON"

My Honorable Judge,

I can say a lot. There is much to be said, but as a local leader, as someone who has the responsibility to add hope to the hopes of this country, instead of saying a lot here, I feel responsible for stating the truths and ensuring that you understand them in the best way possible in this short time frame.

Imagine; a young person who went to university at the age of 17 had their diploma revoked 35 years later. Look, look at the efforts! Revoking a diploma 35 years later, putting a restriction on their title deed, putting a restriction on whatever. Seizing the 75 years of effort of their family.

How will this nation feel secure? Who will trust, who will lean on? Breaking down doors in front of diamond-like children and babies, implementing this practice, who does it benefit?

Who benefits? I ask the Supreme Turkish judiciary. Who benefits? If there is a benefit, let someone explain to me, "There is such a benefit." Then I will say, "Yes, I am with you on this." Is there such a thing?

My 30-year friends, 25-year, 40-year friends... People I partnered with 20 years ago, people I worked with 15 years ago, what benefit is there in bringing them to the courthouse and forcibly trying to extract a bad word about Ekrem from their mouths? What benefit is there in imprisoning someone if they are not saying something bad? What benefit is there in imprisoning someone we have not seen for 12-13 years? What benefit is there in calling my neighbors in Beylikdüzü, people I work with side by side, to take their statements and saying, "Don't come with your lawyer, come let’s have a chat"?

These are the individuals' own statements; I am not saying anything fabricated.

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I'm not talking through gossip. If I start gossiping, I could go on until morning. What can I tell? Everything about me is transparent.

I am someone who has promised transparency to the people. My life has been transparent until now, and it will continue to be transparent. My struggle will also be transparent. Therefore, I will certainly fight against those who commit injustice and unlawfulness in the presence of the judiciary for my entire life. For my entire life.

Whose mind is it to knock on the door of my mother's and father's summer house without a notice? Whose mind is it to knock on my father's door? You break the door, you can't open it; then you find a locksmith to open the door, whose mind is that? If you call my father, and someone says, "The judiciary is calling me," he would go to his summer house in three hours and open the door for the gendarmerie himself. Whose mind is it to involve my beautiful gendarmerie, my dear police, in these wrongdoings? What is being attempted? What is this? What crime are you talking about? There cannot be such an understanding.

"I WILL BE THE GUARANTEE OF THIS NATION'S FUTURE"

My Honorable Judge,

It is a shame, it is a sin. It is a shame for the future of this nation. It is a shame for 300 young people. My Honorable Judge, Honorable Prosecutor, esteemed members; each of you has children, has families. That is why I know you are here to make decisions on behalf of the country and the nation, and I want to believe that. Of course, you say, "He threatened." Who did I threaten? Where is the threat in this? I say, "I will be the guarantee of your children." I say, "I will be the guarantee of your future." And I will be, you will see.

With the will of this nation, with the support of this nation, I will be the guarantee of this nation's future. I swear from here. Without leaving even one of this nation's children outside; regardless of their ethnic background, way of life, clothing, or the history of their home, I and my friends will bring a system that will guarantee each of them; a justice revolution, a democracy revolution to these lands. I swear from here, I promise. I promise in front of my nation, and also in front of justice.

Threat? Come on! What threat? Who did I threaten? I have never fought in my life, let me tell you. I neither hit nor was hit. No one can hit me. I have not hit anyone. They say, "How did you succeed?" Even my father asks me, "How did you succeed?" I said: "That's just who I am. I am that kind of person." I reconcile people. Don't worry.

For that reason, threats, enmity; there is nothing in my life. There never was. If you want, go ask the kids in the village, my friends. Let the prosecutor issue a decision, let them ask my childhood friend in the village. Let them say, "Did Ekrem fight? Did he reconcile you, did he form teams to have matches?" That's why threats, enmity, holding grudges, jealousy… To think badly of someone… I don't even carry jealousy. I am that confident. I don't get jealous.

Someone is jealous of me in Ankara… So what? I don't get jealous of anyone. But I do get jealous of this, my brother: I am jealous of those who use their power to oppress my nation, who disregard the will of my nation with their economy or authority, and who threaten the existence of my nation in this geography. I am determined to surpass them. It is in my soul. Our nation will see that.

"AM I GOING TO TALK TO SARI ÇİZMELİ MEHMET AĞA?"

That's why they say to me, 'He committed a threat crime…' No way! When did he read, when did he listen to accuse me of a threat crime? Publicly insulting a public official… Where is the insult, for God's sake? This is freedom of expression. At the same time, I am expressing my opinion, my criticism. To whom? To the person managing the system, making decisions, initiating processes, the head of the institution. Who am I going to talk to? Am I going to talk to Sari Çizmeli Mehmet Ağa? Should I sit and talk to a trash can? This is his job! He was a deputy minister, now he is the Chief Prosecutor. What happens tomorrow, I don't care. But that is his duty. That is his area of responsibility.

Who will I criticize for everything happening there? Moreover, I am the one who has been trying to arrange a meeting with him for weeks, saying, "Let's meet, I have thoughts about Istanbul." If he still gives an appointment, we will meet. No problem. But he couldn't. I don't want to read minds, but do you know what comes to my mind? "I wonder why he didn't give it?" Why didn't he give an appointment for weeks? I am curious. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality is the institution that receives the most services from the courthouses. It does everything: its vehicles, its equipment, its cleaning, its maintenance… We haven't pulled back a single dirham. What is our place?

The institutions of the nation serve the institutions of the nation. Am I the kind of person who would hold personal enmity in my mind? For this reason, I want you to listen to me carefully and understand me well. What insult? I made my criticism with my freedom of expression. While making my criticism, I also expressed my determination to be a guarantee for his protection, even with his family in the future.

Targeting individuals who have participated in the fight against terrorism, etc… Enough already! I will mess up the forehead of anyone who tries to associate me with terrorism. It is that clear. I will mess up their forehead! Terror and Ekrem… The person who says that should look in the mirror!

I am a child of this homeland. Do you know what someone sees when they look at me? They see the Republic of Turkey. They see the Turkish flag. They see Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. I am that kind of person. No one should confuse me with themselves. They will not associate me with terrorism… They should know their limits! Ekrem İmamoğlu and terrorism…

What happened? "There are five hundred, six hundred terrorists!" What happened? The "terrorists" they referred to were the appointed governor before me, the trustee, and whoever was before me. After they were removed, they closed the case. Then what did that person say? "I said it politically." Can you label the nation with terrorism politically? Every home in this country has a martyr, a veteran. What kind of morality is this? What kind of perspective is this? "Is there something about Ekrem? Add terrorism there. It might happen." I vehemently reject this approach, Your Honor. I vehemently reject it.

The one who wrote this has other things in mind. I do not believe in this indictment. It has been written with bad intentions.

To associate Ekrem İmamoğlu with terrorism is a product of bad intentions. And I say this to the Honorable Judge and all members: It is shameful, it is a sin! To associate Ekrem with terrorism… Get out of here!

"I DO NOT ACCEPT ANY OF THE THREE ACCUSATIONS"

I have a clear opinion regarding these three accusations. Of course, I entrust myself to the esteemed Turkish judiciary. However, I see that this process is not meaningful, that it is not a proper investigation process, that it is poorly prepared; that it has turned into an investigation in seconds, and that even the statements have not been examined. I do not want to think that it has been written with bad intentions. But I will certainly examine and follow up on what intentions it has been written with. In this sense, I do not accept any of the three accusations made. Yes, I criticize. I would formulate the same sentences again. As someone who is determined to bring the democracy revolution and the justice revolution to these lands in the future; who advocates the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the sovereignty of the will of the nation: Yes, no matter who does this evil to me, I will be the guarantee of even their children’s beautiful lives.