Message from İmamoğlu's lawyer: 'They are trying to block my case follow-ups': 'Now it's time for smear campaigns'

Detained İBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s lawyer, Kemal Polat, stated, "They want me to stop following up on the numerous criminal complaints and compensation lawsuits we have filed against publications slandering my client Ekrem İmamoğlu, as well as the criminal cases of my detained clients. I will not give up, and no lawyer under threat will give up either! I will not stop exercising my legal rights to file complaints against publications that produce false and manipulative news about me, nor will I stop demanding law and justice." 

Polat included the following statements in his announcement:

"Our beautiful country is unfortunately struggling with problems regarding democracy and the rule of law. When the public conscience is disturbed by accusations based on fabrications and rumors, those who do not learn from this also want lawyers not to defend innocent people; they are making intense efforts to influence the investigation process for this purpose. Lawyers are being detained on fabricated grounds and are being turned into suspects in the very files where they serve as counsel.

It is understood that even this is not enough; now it is time to smear the lawyers of the people they could not tarnish. I have spent my 37-year professional life fighting against injustices. Unfortunately, I can no longer feel surprised in the face of slanders. It turns out that I will also have to seek my own rights before the judiciary regarding the slanders of certain 'newspapers' and media outlets where I have defended my clients in dozens of cases... I suppose that, just like those who know me, these 'newspapers' that intentionally attach my name to their news know very well that I would not do such a thing.

I will, of course, apply to the prosecutor's office with my HTS records; the prosecutors will see, just as the 'newspaper' knows very well, that I did not even go to the mayoral office. As a lawyer of 37 years, I unfortunately do not know whether my rights will be established through the judiciary, even though I am in the right.

However, I will fight to the end! They want me to stop following up on the numerous criminal complaints and compensation lawsuits we have filed against publications slandering my client Ekrem İmamoğlu, as well as the criminal cases of my detained clients, which were reflected in the press this morning.

I will not give up, and no lawyer under threat will give up either!

I will not stop exercising my legal rights to file complaints against publications that produce false and manipulative news about me, nor will I stop demanding law and justice."