İmamoğlu reacts to boycott detentions and layoffs at TRT

Imprisoned Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu has issued a message from prison, harshly criticizing the government's suppression of freedom of expression. İmamoğlu stated, "This government has reached its expiration date."

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Imprisoned Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and Republican People's Party (CHP) presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu has made headlines with a statement addressed to society and the government, released from prison. Reacting sharply to detentions, arrests, and layoffs at TRT, İmamoğlu drew attention with the phrase, "This government has reached its expiration date."

In the statement published on İmamoğlu's social media accounts, it was emphasized that citizens expressing their opinions within the scope of freedom of expression are being systematically targeted. Criticizing the detention of those who supported boycott calls in particular, İmamoğlu evaluated the government's stance as a "reflection of desperation and an obsession with holding onto power."

İmamoğlu included the following statements in his message:

"A government that sees it as its right to intimidate, rapidly detain, arrest, imprison, and threaten those who express their opinions, share posts, participate in demonstrations, or exercise their right to boycott on a completely legal basis and within the framework of personal rights and freedoms, has reached its expiration date. These are the final struggles of a desperate and pathetic handful of people trying to protect their seats."

He addressed the layoffs at TRT

CHP presidential candidate İmamoğlu stated that not only opposition citizens but also workers in public institutions are under pressure, and he also touched upon the layoffs at TRT. He described the recent purge in public broadcasting as a "new phase of government pressure."

In his statement from prison, İmamoğlu also addressed all segments of the public. Calling out to everyone from youth to women, retirees to artists, he emphasized hope and solidarity:

"To our 86 million people, our youth, women, laborers, the unemployed, retirees, and artists, we remind our nation: Do not be afraid! Do not be afraid of those who are in negligence and misguidance! Let courage, determination, and never giving up be our motto! The nation is great!"