Ekrem İmamoğlu's first statement revealed: The secret witness detail

In an operation launched against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) on the morning of Wednesday, March 19, IBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and more than 100 people accompanying him were detained.

The operation in question was carried out within the scope of "Medya A.Ş. tenders, urban reconciliation, and a terrorism investigation."

IBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu provided a 121-page statement.

IBB Mayor İmamoğlu was detained on the morning of March 19. İmamoğlu's first statement has emerged. According to this, İmamoğlu was asked the question, "Do you wish to benefit from the effective remorse provisions?"

It was reported that İmamoğlu did not answer many of the questions directed at him regarding the content of the investigation that were "based on secret witnesses."

HERE IS HIS FIRST STATEMENT

It was learned that in his statement, İmamoğlu said, "I have not committed any crime. I vehemently reject the accusations. The investigation is aimed at defamation and manufacturing crimes; the investigation has no logical, legal, or convincing basis."

The first question asked to IBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was, "Do you wish to benefit from the effective remorse provisions?" İmamoğlu replied to this question, "Since I have not committed any crime, I do not wish to benefit from the effective remorse provisions."

İmamoğlu was asked about the tenders conducted by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and their results. İmamoğlu's response was, "The Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor and all past mayors, including the late Kadir Topbaş, Mr. Ali Müfit Gürtuna, and Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, did not participate in tenders, sign tenders, nor have the time to follow their results during their terms, just like me."

When shown photographs of the detained individuals and asked if he recognized them, İmamoğlu stated that he understood the content of the questions and said, "Actually, the sole reason for my presence here is a political intervention and struggle model initiated against me."

"THOSE WHO DO NOT RESPECT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE..."

Stating that the struggle has been ongoing for years, İmamoğlu said, "I am currently facing a form of intervention carried out against me by members of the government who do not respect the will of the people.

I see the fact that these questions are being asked to someone who has won elections with the three highest vote percentages in Istanbul's history, representing 16 million Istanbulites, as part of a process directed against the will of the people.

For this reason, I am making this statement. While I will provide detailed answers to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the questions you will ask subsequently, I will also respond to those I deem necessary."

İmamoğlu answered numerous questions that appeared to be constructed through secret witnesses by saying, "I do not acknowledge this question. I vehemently reject all allegations."

Regarding the question of whether he recognized the individuals detained with him, İmamoğlu responded, "I have understood the content of the various questions I am currently required to answer. Actually, the sole reason for my presence here is a political intervention and struggle model initiated against me.

This form of struggle has unfortunately been carried out against me for years in the form of judicial harassment. The various lawsuits filed against me and the ongoing investigations, as well as the investigation document served to me one day before I was even detained regarding the closure of daycare centers, show that I am currently facing a form of intervention carried out against me by members of the government who do not respect the will of the people."

News Source: 12punto