Imamoğlu protest at Başakşehir Council: 'They were arrested without justification'

During the June session of the Başakşehir Municipal Council, CHP members staged a notable protest. The CHP group, reacting to the arrest of Republican People's Party presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, as well as several mayors and bureaucrats, left the hall as soon as the meeting began.

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Nizamettin Kümeç took the floor during the meeting and stated, 'There is much to be discussed here today, but under these circumstances, we do not find it appropriate to speak and we will not participate in the session.' Following this statement, the CHP members left the council chamber.

'THEY WERE ARRESTED WITHOUT GROUNDS'

CHP Başakşehir District Chairman Beyzade Kayabaşı, in a statement made in front of the Başakşehir Municipality building, said, 'Our Republican People's Party Council Group had a session today. At the point we have reached today, our President Ekrem, our Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and presidential candidate, our mayors, and our bureaucrats have all been arrested without justification or grounds.

While their indictments are still nowhere to be seen, we believe it is meaningless to discuss the agenda at the Başakşehir Municipality today, or to act as if there is democracy, a municipal understanding, or legislation in place. Accordingly, as the Republican People's Party Başakşehir Council Group, we are leaving the general assembly, and today we say 'Freedom for Ekrem İmamoğlu' and we are protesting,' he stated.

News Source: 12punto