Breaking News... Tension in the IMM trial: Ekrem İmamoğlu removed from the courtroom

The 61st day of the trial regarding the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) has begun. In the previous session, the defense of Rahşan Daniş, the lawyer for the detained Medya A.Ş. Chairman of the Board Murat Ongun, could not be completed, and the presiding judge had requested that Daniş complete her statements by noon in today's session.

Message from İmamoğlu to the deputies

The detained defendants, their lawyers, journalists, spectators, and the court delegation took their places in the courtroom. Before the session began, Ekrem İmamoğlu addressed the deputies Aykut Kaya, Sezgin Tanrıkulu, Seyit Torun, Bülent Tezcan, and Suat Özçağdaş, who were in the spectator section, saying, "We trust you. Turkey is entrusted to your decision."

Trial schedule discussed

Taking the floor regarding the progress of the defenses, İmamoğlu argued that it was impossible for the first session to be completed on July 9.

İmamoğlu stated, "Up until now, an effort has been made to conduct the defense and interrogation part properly. As of yesterday, Murat Ongun finished his defense. His lawyer began her defense. You expressed that it should end today and that July 9 is the deadline. Mr. Murat is the person most mentioned and is being tried for his actions. They made their defense regarding the persecution that has been going on for 1.5 years. They want to wrap this up by this evening. It appears that our friend Tuncay Yılmaz can also manage the time with his lawyers in the remaining time frame. It also looks like İnan Bey and Fatih Keleş will be able to manage the process. This is the information I received from their lawyers and themselves. Our friend Fatih is the person most involved in the actions after me. His lawyers also made a long defense. For this reason, it is impossible for the first session to end on July 9."

Upon this, the presiding judge said, "The order of interrogation will not change. After Tuncay Yılmaz, we will take your defense, Mr. Ekrem."

İmamoğlu responded with the words, "Let us know if there is a mobilization or an operation on July 9."

ARGUMENT BETWEEN THE PRESIDING JUDGE AND İMAMOĞLU

While the presiding judge said, "Mr. Ekrem, do not engage in polemics; if you continue like this, I will have you removed from the courtroom," İmamoğlu replied, "You cannot remove me; I will leave if necessary."

Upon the judge's words, "There is a schedule we have set; you will abide by it," İmamoğlu stated, "I do not accept it this way, you will see."

TUĞBA TORUN SPOKE IN TEARS

According to T24, following the argument, Tuğba Torun, the wife and lawyer of Aykut Erdoğdu, took the floor. Speaking in tears, Torun said, "There are so many things I haven't said about my husband and my client. You are acting without conscience. Do not restrict our right to defense. Aykut's release largely depends on Fatih Keleş's defense."

Following Torun's speech, a verbal argument broke out again between İmamoğlu and the presiding judge.

While İmamoğlu said, "What are you trying to adjust?", the presiding judge stated, "If you continue like this, I will have you removed from the courtroom... I am applying Article 203 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CMK)."

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Following the argument, it was decided to remove İmamoğlu from the courtroom. İmamoğlu said he would not leave. When CHP Diyarbakır Deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu called out to the presiding judge to 'reconsider your decision,' the presiding judge ordered the removal of Tanrıkulu and others who reacted from the courtroom.

"YOU CANNOT CLOWN AROUND HERE"

The presiding judge also shouted at CHP Deputy Chairman Suat Özçağdaş, who reacted by shouting at him, "Gendarmerie friends, what are you waiting for? It makes no difference whether they are deputies or spectators. Take them out. You cannot clown around here." As the arguments continued, İmamoğlu was removed from the courtroom. Aykut Erdoğdu also followed him and left the courtroom.

Following the tension, the presiding judge gave instructions for everyone in the courtroom to be removed.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW...