31.01.2025 14:11
The full text of the statement made by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) President Ekrem İmamoğlu today at the Çağlayan Courthouse, as part of two separate investigations against him, has been revealed. In his statement, İmamoğlu said, "There are no threats in my words, there is no incitement. What I have done is an exercise of freedom of expression. And freedom of expression is a constitutional right. Freedom of expression also includes criticisms of judicial authorities and their functioning."
The Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), Ekrem İmamoğlu, gave a statement today at the Çağlayan Courthouse as part of two separate investigations initiated against him due to his remarks regarding Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek and the expert witness he claimed to be involved in CHP cases. İmamoğlu, who was questioned for the crimes of "insulting a public official due to their duty," "threat," "targeting individuals who have participated in the fight against terrorism," and "attempting to influence a fair trial," left the courthouse after two hours of proceedings.
"MY STATEMENT IS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION"
The full text of Ekrem İmamoğlu's statement given at the prosecutor's office has emerged. In his statement, İmamoğlu said, "There is no threat in my words, there is no targeting. What I have done is freedom of expression. And freedom of expression is a constitutional right. Freedom of expression also includes criticisms of judicial authorities and their operations. Since when has sharing the injustices we have suffered with our nation, criticizing the irregularities that have occurred, and stating that these practices harm 'trust in the law' been considered a threat?"
HERE IS THE FULL TEXT OF EKREM İMAMOĞLU'S STATEMENT:
SUBJECT: Targeting and Threatening Individuals Engaged in the Fight Against Terrorism
"The reason I am here today is that a regime where orders, not the law, prevail. I am an elected person who says, 'I do not take rights from others, but I will not let anyone take my rights.' And I am a man of my word.
What I said in connection with the alleged crime is clear, and I repeat it here: 'We will uproot the mind that governs you from the minds of this nation to save even your children from these treatments. We will uproot 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 it so that we can ensure peace in your home and the future of your children. This is our concern.'
'We are working day and night for a future where the law will operate not by orders but by universal principles. So that our children and future generations can sleep in peace and security with the warmth of justice.'
While criticizing the fact that many police officers suddenly went to the door of our CHP Youth Branch President, who could very well be invited to give a statement with an official invitation letter, to see my words expressed with a brotherly - paternal affection as a threat means seeing independent judiciary and real justice as a threat. Only those who fear losing their dominance over the judiciary can perceive my words as a threat.
There is no threat in my words, there is no targeting. What I have done is freedom of expression. And freedom of expression is a constitutional right. Freedom of expression also includes criticisms of judicial authorities and their operations.
Since when has sharing the injustices we have suffered with our nation, criticizing the irregularities that have occurred, and stating that these practices harm 'trust in the law' been considered a threat?
As the mayor of the largest party in the country, saying that in the order we will establish when we come to power, 'there will be trust in the law, there will be trust in the judiciary, the judiciary will be independent and impartial, the bad and vengeful mentality will be put to an end, justice will come to the country, and no one will be taken away early in the morning by the gendarmerie' has been considered a threat since when?
The real threat is made by those who directly intervene in the judiciary by saying, 'The big turnip is in the bag.' Those who target by saying 'the big turnip is in the bag' also expose that the members of the judiciary cannot work independently and impartially.
Seeing a manager who promises, 'We will remove all pressures on the judiciary, we will never give orders to the judiciary, we will not apply pressure' as a threat means seeing the nation as a threat. Because the independent judiciary makes decisions on behalf of the nation. The independent judiciary is also a part of the national will.
Turkey is the honorable country of competent prosecutors and judges. This country stands with the lawyers who are the children of the nation, standing against thieves, corrupt individuals, and those who eat the rights of orphans. They will be able to work independently in our government, and they will be able to say, 'Let justice be served, even if the apocalypse comes.'
However, those who turn the judiciary into a tool for political interests will one day be held accountable before the law.
This is our promise. This is the response to the people's demand for justice.
Politicians who instrumentalize the judiciary should refrain from resorting to such means instead of coming to the arena and competing fairly. They should surrender themselves to the wisdom of the nation.
Because the nation is great!
Let them not forget this: No pressure, no threat can stop the people's struggle for justice.
This regime will change in the first election, and the rule of law will be rebuilt!
The law will be ensured to operate not by orders but by universal principles! Those who detain the children of this nation with dawn operations and unlawfully condemn every dissenting voice will not even see a speck of the injustice they have committed.
This waste and plunder regime has stolen not only the law but also the bread of the worker, the hope of the youth, and the sweat of millions. It has taken the lives of our people who were in distress during the earthquake and fire.
We will never surrender to this. This great nation will surely see the days when justice is reestablished! And the answer to this political investigation opened against me will be given by the nation at the ballot box!
I present this to my esteemed nation."
SUBJECT: TCK 277 – 288 Investigation
"During my press statement, the prosecutor's office, which decided to open an investigation against me, made a hasty statement just 15 minutes later.
One cannot help but think.
If the prosecutor's office could show this speed in cases of femicide, child abuse, corruption, or the cases of oppressed victims, would the nation's trust in justice be so shaken today? But it seems that some issues are considered more 'urgent' than others.
The effort of a regime that cannot tolerate criticism has reached a point where it threatens even our most basic rights. I will not bow to these threats.
Those who try to intimidate me with such unjust accusations and investigations driven by political motives have long been condemned in the conscience of the people.
In my press statement, as a person elected by the will of the nation, I expressed the realities one by one with my commitment to the principles of accountability and transparency.
Questioning the impartiality of an expert when the conditions arise is a natural right in a democratic society, as well as a necessity for the realization of justice.
Access to accurate information by the public and the transparent functioning of justice is essential for the legal system. However, today, I am subjected to an investigation for expressing this criticism. This is not a crime; on the contrary, it is a requirement of justice and democracy.
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I want to ask:
Is it fair to criticize an expert who should be impartial, or is it better to ignore bias?
I have been summoned to give a statement on the accusation of "attempting to influence the one performing the judicial duty, the expert, or the witness" with the statements I made at the press conference. We all know that for this "crime" to occur, there must be pressure and threats to the expert to prepare a report contrary to law and truth.
What can be influenced from reports that have already been written and submitted to the relevant authorities? Is it a crime to ask, "How is it that the same expert is assigned every time from thousands of experts to CHP municipalities, mayors, or affiliated companies?"
If the one performing the judicial duty writing a report or opinion contrary to the facts is not a problem, is criticizing this the problem? Isn't the real issue the expert who does this attempting to influence fair trial?
In my speech, I pointed out a situation that challenges the limits of reason and statistical science regarding an expert and requested an inquiry into whether this is a coincidence. I requested intervention regarding the justice issue created by a person who, while needing to perform public duty independently and impartially as an expert, has been proven with various examples to have provided an opinion contrary to the truth.
I requested this from both the Minister of Justice and our nation. I requested it from our nation because an independent judiciary makes decisions on behalf of the people. And there is no greater authority or power than the nation.
Questioning the functioning of judicial authorities is also protected under freedom of expression and is a requirement of a democratic order. Because the right to a fair trial is a constitutional fundamental right that every citizen possesses.
Hz. Ali says, "If you cannot prevent an injustice, at least announce it to everyone."
Taking strength from this advice, I consider it my duty to expose this system that is dealing with me today.
Our effort is to maintain unity, brotherhood, and peace in this country!
Our effort is to ensure the rights, laws, and safety of life and property of every single citizen living in this country!
Our effort is to remind that the real authority lies with the nation!
Because Atatürk established our republic with the principle, "Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation." We act with this principle and submit our struggle to the will of our nation.
I present this to my esteemed nation.
INVESTIGATIONS
An investigation was initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against İBB President İmamoğlu for "insulting a public official due to his duty," "threat," and "targeting individuals who have participated in the fight against terrorism" due to the words he used about Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek and his family during a program he attended.
Additionally, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation against İmamoğlu for "attempting to influence fair trial" on the grounds that he publicly targeted the expert responsible for some investigations and public cases during the press conference he held on January 27, aiming for a decision in favor of the suspects of the investigation.
İmamoğlu was summoned to the prosecutor's office to give a statement regarding these two ongoing investigations.
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