İYİ Party Chairman Dervişoğlu comments on the ruling against İmamoğlu: Turkey is experiencing its pains

Dervişoğlu answered questions from Kürşad Oğuz on Halk TV. Regarding the appellate court's decision to uphold the political ban and prison sentence given in the 'fool case' against the potential presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the İYİ Party leader emphasized that the decision was political.

Müsavat Dervişoğlu stated that the investigations launched against İmamoğlu were related to his potential presidential candidacy, saying, "I hold the conviction that there is a political shadow over all the investigations, prosecutions, and trials conducted regarding Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu."

"TURKEY IS EXPERIENCING ITS PAINS TODAY"

The 2-year, 7-month, and 15-day sentence, which includes a political ban, in the case known to the public as the "fool case" against CHP's presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, was upheld by the appellate court. Making a statement regarding the decision, Dervişoğlu emphasized that the judiciary has become politicized and said the following:

"I hold the conviction that there is a political shadow over all the investigations, prosecutions, and trials conducted regarding Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu. I think the reason for this is related to the upcoming presidential election, and I say this at every opportunity. But despite all this, I do not want to give up on the dream of a country where law and justice prevail.

I am not obliged to cast suspicion on anyone. Indictments are written in the name of the Turkish nation. Court decisions are also rendered in the name of the Turkish nation. There have been periods where this government, not just in this term but also before this term, has taken on the role of prosecutor for certain prepared indictments, and seen themselves in the position of defense attorneys for certain defendants."

Stating that even US Presidents do not interfere with the judiciary, Dervişoğlu said, "I repeat here what I say at every opportunity. In societies where the sense of justice is damaged, no institution remains undamaged. Turkey is experiencing its pains today."

"WHEN YOU LEAVE A PARTY, YOU MUST ALSO LEAVE THE OFFICE"

İYİ Party Chairman Dervişoğlu also responded to Kürşad Oğuz's question regarding the recent transfers between parties.

Dervişoğlu, responding to Oğuz's question which recalled the defection of Beykoz Deputy Mayor Özlem Vural Gürzel and Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu to the AKP, stated that Turkey needs a law on political ethics and replied as follows:

"I do not find it strange that people who have been elected as candidates from political parties undergo a change of opinion that allows them to transition from the opposition wing to the ruling wing, or from the ruling side to the opposition side. Because people can change their opinions under changing circumstances. But if you have come to an office with the votes of people who are members of that political party, representing that political party, you must accept that when you leave that party, the need to leave that office also arises. In other words, they should resign from their duties."

Explaining the process of Eşref Fakıbaba, who previously served as an MP for the AKP, joining the İYİ Party, Dervişoğlu continued his response:

"In the 27th term, Mr. Ahmet Eşref Fakıbaba was a Justice and Development Party MP. Yes. And he came to the İYİ Party. At that time, there was the RTÜK membership process. There was a possibility that an MP's process could positively or negatively affect it. At that time, I told Mr. Fakıbaba, 'Stay in the party for a while so we can get through these RTÜK elections.' Mr. Ahmet Fakıbaba said, 'I became an MP with the favor of the Justice and Development Party's voters. Therefore, if I leave the AK Party, I must also leave the parliament,' and he submitted his resignation letter from his parliamentary seat. I met with the Justice and Development Party's group chairman and deputy group chairmen. I was a deputy group chairman at the time.

I ensured that his resignation was brought to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. I wish for Mr. Ahmet Eşref Fakıbaba's stance and the İYİ Party's political attitude regarding the matter to be understood correctly by the nation and politics. Therefore, let me state here that we do not have our eyes on any party's MP."

"THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO FREE ÖCALAN"

Responding to a question about why they did not participate in the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission established in the TBMM, Dervişoğlu stated that the commission's main goal was to free the leader of the terrorist organization PKK, Abdullah Öcalan.

Dervişoğlu emphasized that he is not against the de-terrorization of Turkey, but that they will not be part of any step taken for Öcalan to be released.