Dubious 'party congress' investigation! Ekrem İmamoğlu gives a single response to 9 questions

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu testified as part of the investigation launched into allegations that “votes were cast in exchange for money” at his party's 38th Ordinary Congress held on November 4-5, 2023. İmamoğlu, who is currently held at Silivri (Marmara) Prison, connected to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office via SEGBİS and denied all accusations.

İmamoğlu stated that he wished to give a 'single response' to all questions.

İmamoğlu, who is among the 86 suspects in the investigation, drew attention to witness testimonies in his statement and argued that this process is not a legal one, but a political operation. Regarding the secret witness testimonies, he used the following words:

"The same 3-5 names, who are called witnesses but are not witnesses, are brought onto the stage again in a new file every time. They are tasked with constructing a new slander against either me or my party. Since they are so indispensable, they should gather them all and send them to the investigation in Istanbul as well. I wouldn't be surprised at all; their statements are probably ready there too, perhaps they have already given them. The real question that should be asked is this: How can the supreme Turkish judiciary, which is expected to be independent, declaring these individuals 'credible witnesses' instead of questioning who made them memorize these irrational statements and which centers directed them, be reconciled with any understanding of law?"

In his statement, where he described the judicial process and the allegations as “contrary to reason and conscience,” İmamoğlu spoke as follows:

"Law is the honor of a country. Placing slander, gossip, and political orders on the scales of justice is an attack not only on individuals but directly on the will of the nation and our democracy. Attempting to make the judiciary a figurehead for these scenarios that are contrary to reason and conscience is not only a legal decay but also an open betrayal of the public's sense of justice. It is a fact that this process, which has made our nation pay very heavy prices, will make everyone who turns the law into a stick for politics and remains silent about this course of events an accomplice to this crime."

CHP HAD HELD AN EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel had stated that there were plans to appoint a trustee to the CHP following the allegations regarding the congress. In response to this, Özel had taken his party to an extraordinary congress on April 6.

Özel was re-elected as chairman after receiving the votes of all delegates who cast ballots in the election. Furthermore, Özel's key list was also elected without any losses.

News Source: 12punto