CHP's Çelik points to companies under trusteeship: 'Pre-election communication siege'

In a video shared on his social media account, CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik drew attention to the companies that were seized and placed under trusteeship during the process that began with the detention of İmamoğlu.

Çelik shared the video with the note, "Is it law or opportunism? Let's talk about the facts: How is election preparation being carried out under the pretext of the Ekrem İmamoğlu case?"

The video, which states, "This is not just a case, this is an operation to silence communication," included the following remarks:

"Let's talk about the facts.

Whose hands did the billboards fall into?

In recent weeks, along with the corruption investigation conducted against Ekrem İmamoğlu, trustees were appointed to 24 companies. But 12 of these 24 companies are advertising agencies.

Half of Turkey's outdoor advertising network is now under the control of trustees. Kent Vizyon, Vizyon Kent, Urban Medya, SMO, BWA, SEV—these are not just company names. These are the firms that manage billboards all across Turkey.

Approximately 30 thousand advertising boards, primarily in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, are now controlled by managers appointed by the state.

This is not just a corruption case. This is an operation to eliminate the visibility of the opposition while heading toward an election.

By filing a lawsuit against a mayor and appointing trustees to advertising firms, both his reputation is being targeted and the field of communication is being seized.

The name of this operation is a pre-election communication siege.

This is not just a case, this is an operation to silence communication.

Let's talk about the facts."

Hukuk mu, fırsatçılık mı?

Gerçekleri konuşalım: Ekrem İmamoğlu davası bahane edilerek nasıl seçim hazırlığı yapılıyor? pic.twitter.com/NZypDMuE4P

— Özgür Çelik (@ozgurcelikchp) April 24, 2025