From Ekrem İmamoğlu to Özgür Özel: 'Özgür Özel is my soulmate'

Speaking during a break in the massive trial of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) involving 414 defendants, presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu sent a very clear message of friendship and loyalty to CHP leader Özgür Özel. Inside the courtroom, the cries of defendants behind bars, stating "They took my statement under duress, they ruined my life," echoed through the hall.

As the 41st day of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) trial passed, the Marmara Closed Prison courtroom became the scene of both dramatic defenses and significant political messages that could shake intra-party balances. In the case heard by the Istanbul 40th High Criminal Court involving hundreds of defendants, the cries for justice from those being held in detention raised the tension in the room.

"MY RIBS ARE BROKEN, I HAVEN'T SEEN MY CHILDREN FOR 12 MONTHS"

Taking the floor during the hearing and explaining that his health had completely deteriorated under prison conditions, detained advertising agency owner Şeyhmus Sarıboğa stated that he had previously overcome a severe case of tuberculosis, is diabetic, and that his ribs were broken after he fainted and fell in his cell. Stating that he suffers from shortness of breath and that his treatment is impossible in prison, Sarıboğa described the drama behind bars with these words:

"I have never even been taken into custody before; I don't know the legal process. My will was manipulated at the police station and the prosecutor's office; I accepted the documents placed in front of me at random due to my lawyer's misleading guidance. The alleged fake invoices or secret statements were never read to me. I reject those old statements taken under duress. Because of my detention, my commercial life is over, my machines have rotted. More than anything, I haven't seen my two little daughters for 12 months. On the phone, they ask me, 'Dad, are you never coming home again?' What did I do to deserve this persecution?"

"I HAVE NO CONNECTION WHATSOEVER TO THE İBB!"

Arguing that the accusations in the indictment were entirely due to a similarity in names, Sarıboğa also reacted harshly to the allegations of money laundering. The defendant, who presented documents showing he was under strict tuberculosis quarantine at home on the dates the crimes were alleged to have occurred, addressed the court panel as follows:

"I have no connection to the Ankara-based company called BFK Endüstri mentioned in the indictment. My company's name is BFK Park Ticaret. They ruined my life just because of this name similarity. I have never carried a single penny of illegal money in my life, and I have had nothing to do with fake invoices. I don't even have the slightest connection to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, I don't know anyone there. I have been here for 12 months and I keep wondering why I am detained in the İBB case; my mind cannot comprehend it."

İMAMOĞLU'S ADDRESS TO THE COURTROOM: "I LOVE ÖZGÜR ÖZEL VERY MUCH"

During those critical minutes when the court panel took a break to review the detention status, the courtroom was stirred by the striking statements of CHP's presidential candidate and İBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Giving a clear response to the factions recently discussing party congresses and leadership, İmamoğlu turned to those in the hall and said:

"I hope everything will be very beautiful; we are waiting for the result with hope. We must be together, stand in solidarity shoulder to shoulder, and remain strong. I have full faith that the end will be beautiful. Our Chairman Özgür Özel is my soulmate, I love him very much."

News Source: 12punto