Istanbul’s imprisoned Mayor and Turkish President Recep Taip Erdogan’s leading rival Ekrem Imamoglu presented the court in court on Monday for threatening and insulting a top judicial officer.
The prosecutors have accused the 54-year-old Mayor of theater, insulting and targeting a public official-serious allegations in Türkiye’s rapid political judiciary.
What is the case against Imamoglu?
Imamoglu allegedly commented on his integrity about Akin Gurlek, the main public prosecutor of Istanbul.
Imamoglu faced more than seven years of prison and allegedly “is a political restriction to do personal work, threatening and insult in the fight against terrorism.”
Monday’s hearing was a hero inside the Cylivary Jail of Istanbul, where Imamoglu has been given details since the late march after arrest in a separate corruption investment.
In the earlier case, the authorities claim that financial misconduct involves, Türkiye’s largest road protests triggered the protests in more than a decade. Police arrested hundreds of people in response.
In many cases there may be a prison sentence and a political restriction.
When he went to the stand in April, Imamoglu denied all the allegations and claimed that he was targeted as he was planning to run against Erdogan in the 2028 presidential election at that time, according to the Turkish media.
In a statement to the prosecutor in January, he argued that he had exercised his right to free speech only.
Heer had no danger or goal in his comment and described his comments as protected under freedom of expression.
What did Imamoglu tell the court?
Speaking before the court, Imamoglu claimed that he was subject to “psychological torture”, along with other arrested party members.
“Today, all opposition positions that displace the government and tens of millions of people are being assessed here,” Imamoglu said as Representing Hemelfa before a judge in the Istanbul court.
As soon as he was prosecuted, the crowd gathered outside the jail.
“Turkey is proud of you,” chanting Imamoglu’s supporters.
“There is no salvation alone: Ether with all together, or none,” he said.
During being unrelated to a sample of corruption, the current test adds to the increasing list of legal matters before Imamoglu – many people are seen as the most formidable challenger for Erdogan’s rule.
Rights groups and opposition parties have disclosed Imamoglu’s custody as a politically motive, accusing the government of using courts to suppress dissatisfaction before the major national elections.
Edited by: ZAC Crellin
