İmamoğlu challenges authorities in police statement! 'To those who made me go through this...'

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the İBB over allegations of 'terrorism' and 'corruption.' As part of the investigation, İBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained in a dawn operation on the morning of March 19.

İmamoğlu, who is in custody, gave his statement yesterday evening. In the 121-page statement transcript, İmamoğlu denied the allegations and, when asked about 'effective remorse,' replied, "Since I have not committed any crime, I do not wish to benefit from the provisions of effective remorse."

In his statement, İmamoğlu emphasized the political aspect of the investigation. During the questioning, İmamoğlu was asked, "Is there anything else you would like to add to your statement?" İmamoğlu stated the following:

“I would like to express that from the hours I was detained until this moment when I am giving my statement, and after the questions asked during the statement process, I feel much worse on behalf of our nation, our city, and our country.

While Turkey has many national and international issues in need of solutions, the questions asked above have shown that being detained due to baseless accusations consisting of setups, fabrications, lies, and conspiracy theories, and thus falling onto the agenda of Turkey and the entire world, causing serious damage to our country's reputation, and witnessing the erosion of democracy and justice is very saddening.

As far as I am informed, this has resulted in a high impact on the economy, the growth of our people's hopelessness, and especially the reaction of young people to the mistreatment carried out with cries of despair. Those who prepared these malicious accusations will never be able to pay the price for what has been inflicted upon our nation and our country.

I personally will not only make my own defense, but I also promise in the presence of my nation that I will seek all my legal rights throughout my life against those who prepared this setup, who leveled these accusations against me, and who made 16 million Istanbulites experience a period with a detained Mayor, and that I will do my best to ensure they are put on trial.

My life's ideal is precisely the struggle for our nation to live in a fair environment in the face of these practices. This struggle has increased a millionfold as of this moment. We have a lot of work to do.

First justice, then democracy, and bringing a process of a strong Republic of Turkey state with these concepts into the 2nd Century of our Republic will be the goal. I will continue to work regardless of the circumstances for a future where no one's rights are violated, the legal system is fair at the highest level, young people are hopeful, and a meritocratic governance model exists in the public sector.

For all of this to happen, what falls to me is to put an end to the environment where the judiciary is unfortunately used for political interests, as seen in all the investigation processes carried out, including the judicial harassment that has been experienced and is being experienced; and to struggle for the creation of a new democratic and fair system in our country.”