Joint statement from Özel and İmamoğlu following investigation: 'We will initiate the candidate selection process'

An investigation has been launched against Cem Aydın, the President of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Youth Branches, due to a post made on the CHP Youth Branches' social media account regarding Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek.

Aydın, who was effectively detained, was referred to the criminal judgeship of peace with a request for judicial control after giving his statement at the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Terrorism Crimes Investigation Bureau. Cem Aydın was released under judicial control conditions and a travel ban.

Another investigation was launched against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who reacted to the de facto detention of Aydın.

"THREATENING REMARKS"

In a statement from the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated: "An ex officio investigation has been launched against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu for the crimes of 'threatening' and 'targeting individuals tasked with counter-terrorism' due to his remarks today (20/01/2025) during a program he attended, which were directed at Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Mr. Akın Gürlek and his family."

Speaking to the press after the Modern Law and the Politicization of the Judiciary Panel, which he attended alongside CHP leader Özgür Özel, İmamoğlu made a statement regarding the investigation launched over his remarks about Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek.

Emphasizing that what happened does not align with the understanding of justice, İmamoğlu noted the following:

"You tell a youth president who will work across all of Turkey for the CHP, 'Do not leave Istanbul.' It does not align with justice. When I talk about these things, my expression is very clear. I have told the mind pushing this business many times, 'With the struggle we are waging, we will save your children too.' I expressed the same sentiments to the current chief prosecutor so clearly, but unfortunately, he is trying to use even this to prove himself with an 'all means are justified' mentality. I saw this with sadness.

I entrust the minds and personalities of a handful of people to the conscience of our 86 million people. The Chief Prosecutor, like the President, thinks about us day and night. I am calling out to the high judiciary members of this country, to the honorable prosecutors of this country: such a process cannot exist."

"WE WILL INITIATE THE CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS"

Özgür Özel, who stood beside İmamoğlu, said the following regarding the "our candidate is clear" statement:

"Right here, I said that the judiciary has broken a world record in terms of politicization. Our Mayor Ekrem moved 15 meters away from the podium, and an investigation was opened against him. We are facing a chief prosecutor with special powers who is stirring up Istanbul and investigating İmamoğlu, just like the prosecutors with special authority. These are truly schizophrenic behaviors. When Mayor Ekrem sat next to me, I said about his words, 'It was a good assurance.' Where are they twisting the statement, 'We are the assurance of your child too,' which was constructed in such a constructive and correct way? Someone who doesn't read it would think Akın Gürlek's son was threatened.

We viewed this process as a declaration of war against us. Under these conditions, we have stated that 2025 will be an election year. You know our program is written; it is now evolving into a government program. We are working on ballot box security in all 81 provinces. Our will to determine the candidate is firm, and we will initiate this process, but the candidate will not be determined by the words coming out of the mouth of one person or institution."

ÖZGÜR ÖZEL'S "OUR CANDIDATE IS CLEAR" STATEMENT

Speaking at the Modern Law and the Politicization of the Judiciary Panel organized by the Country Policies Foundation, CHP leader Özgür Özel called for an election to AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, saying, "Our candidate is ready."

"Remove the intermediary, pull Akın back, we are here. If you are going to settle scores, if you have no fear, bring the ballot box and get the answer from the nation. Let it be whatever the nation says. I challenge you. My party is ready, I am ready, our candidate is ready. You come out against me and you will get your answer," said Özel, who did not disclose who the candidate was.

WHAT DID İMAMOĞLU SAY?

Reacting to the de facto detention of CHP Youth Branches President Aydın, İBB Mayor İmamoğlu had said, "You summon him for a so-called statement, and you raid his house with 7-8 police officers. Your goal is to intimidate the nation. Chief Prosecutor, I am telling you; we will be of no use to you, your mind has rotted... We will rip out the mind that manages you from the mind of this nation to save even your children. We will rip it out so that no one shows up at your children's door. Let us ensure peace for your home and your children, even for you."