All eyes on the Court of Appeal: What is being discussed in AKP corridors regarding the İmamoğlu case

In the case opened against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on the allegation that he called YSK members 'fools', the Istanbul Anadolu 7th Criminal Court of First Instance sentenced İmamoğlu to 2 years, 7 months, and 15 days in prison, along with a 4-year political ban.

As all eyes turn to the Court of Appeal regarding the case against İmamoğlu, what is being discussed in AKP corridors has emerged.

"IF THE VERDICT IS UPHELD, IMAMOĞLU WILL BECOME EVEN STRONGER"

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, some officials within the AKP have assessed that "if the Court of Appeal upholds the verdict regarding İmamoğlu, İmamoğlu will become even stronger as a political actor."

Furthermore, comments from within the party included, "A perception of him being a 'victim' and 'being blocked by the government' could form among the public. The party could be held responsible for this situation. Arguments that the judiciary is 'not independent' in the country could also be debated by the opposition front in the public eye. The country should not be dragged into these debates. Therefore, a political ban should not be imposed on İmamoğlu."

THERE ARE ALSO THOSE WHO THINK THE OPPOSITE

Some officials in the party think the exact opposite.

It is also claimed that since 2019, İmamoğlu has been "acting not like a mayor, but like the president of the country."

These officials argued, "Despite there being many problems in Istanbul, he conducts politics through the government on screen. In this respect, he receives support from a segment of the citizens. However, this situation cannot make the insult in question innocent. There must be a penalty for this. No one should insult a public official."