İmamoğlu shares his full historic defense: 'This defense is the defense of my noble nation'

CHP's presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is currently imprisoned at Silivri Prison, appeared before the judge yesterday (June 16) for the second hearing of the trial opened over his remarks regarding Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek.

Prior to the hearing, the prosecutor concluded that İmamoğlu had committed the alleged crimes due to his remarks about Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek, and requested a prison sentence ranging from 2 years and 8 months to 7 years and 4 months for İmamoğlu on charges of "publicly insulting a public official due to their duty," "threatening," and "targeting individuals involved in the fight against terrorism."

Furthermore, the application of Article 53 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), known in the public eye as a "political ban," was also requested.

İmamoğlu delivered his defense at the trial held in the courtroom at Silivri Prison. The hearing was adjourned until July 16.

İmamoğlu shared the full text of his historic defense from the hearing. In a post made from the Presidential Candidate Office account, he stated, "I know we are in Silivri because we are the guardians of Istanbul; because we want a fair, democratic, and prosperous Turkey. I also know very well that I am never alone in this struggle. This defense is the defense of my noble nation," and shared the link containing the full text of his defense.

I know we are in Silivri because we are the guardians of Istanbul; because we want a fair, democratic, and prosperous Turkey.

I also know very well that I am never alone in this struggle.

This defense is the defense of my noble nation; https://t.co/FBc59hOuGy

Ekrem İmamoğlu pic.twitter.com/F8V0dv63pN

— Cumhurbaşkanlığı Aday Ofisi (@CBAdayOfisi) June 17, 2025

News Source: 12punto