Tension in IMM case: Ekrem İmamoğlu not brought to hearing

The 63rd hearing was held today in the case involving 414 people, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and Republican People's Party presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu. In the case, which has 59 defendants in custody, İmamoğlu was not brought to the courtroom.

Following İmamoğlu's absence from the hearing, his lawyer Tora Pekin addressed the court, stating, "My client was not brought to the hearing without any decision." The presiding judge replied, "We will write the decision in the meantime," and announced that İmamoğlu would be brought to the courtroom the following day.

TENSION INCREASED FOLLOWING YESTERDAY'S EVENTS

During the previous hearing, while tension persisted regarding the order of Ekrem İmamoğlu's defense, the presiding judge had stated that İmamoğlu would be allowed to return to the courtroom for his defense. However, in the new session, contrary to expectations, the fact that İmamoğlu was not made available resonated in the courthouse corridors. Lawyer Tora Pekin insistently demanded that his client be brought to court immediately. The court panel stated that they had made their decision and noted that İmamoğlu would be brought the next day.

"I AM EXPOSING THIS LAWLESSNESS"

Ekrem İmamoğlu shared what happened with the public via the "Presidential Candidate Office" social media account in the morning. In a statement made in his own words, he used the following expressions:

"At 08:10 this morning, at the prison, the court panel's arbitrary decision preventing me from attending the IMM hearing was communicated to me.

Preventing me from attending the court where the indictment bearing my name is being heard is a very grave violation of rights and the pinnacle of enemy law.

The court is restricting and ignoring the defenses of the individuals most accused in the indictment and their lawyers.

This situation is proof that the 'lawlessness of the century,' the IMM case, has completely collapsed and turned into a pile of summary executions.

The court panel, which was designed by disregarding the principle of the natural judge after the case was filed and therefore whose independence and impartiality can never be spoken of, has as of today completely abandoned judicial activity, even in appearance.

I am exposing this lawlessness. Let our nation hear."

News Source: 12punto