Statement from Özel after tense IMM trial: It is the most universal rule of law

Özel stated, "It is the most universal rule of law. The right to defense cannot be restricted. There is no one in this world who does not know this, except for those in this courtroom or those who give them instructions."

The following are the highlights from the statements made by Özel in Silivri:

"We are all witnesses that, since that day, the presiding judge has done everything in his power to prevent Ekrem İmamoğlu from presenting his defense.

As we neared the end, the presiding judge said he would conclude the trial on July 9. A situation arises here; he is accused of 143 acts. A sentence is being sought for him for each act.

He needs to say something, defend himself, and present a holistic defense. İmamoğlu said, 'I can finish my defense in 3-4 days.' The judge says, 'I can give you half a day, maybe a little more.'

It is the most universal rule of law. The right to defense cannot be restricted. There is no one in this world who does not know this, except for those in this courtroom or those who give them instructions.

When describing the most terrible periods, coup eras are always discussed. Abdullah Baştürk presented a defense for 109 days. Fehmi Işık presented a defense for 7 days without interruption. Those courts allowed it.

Alpaslan Aslan, the Council of State murderer, was tried here for Ergenekon. He presented a defense for exactly 76 hours. The FETÖ judiciary said, 'The right to defense cannot be restricted.' The FETÖ judiciary tolerated Alpaslan Aslan for 76 hours. The Erdoğan judiciary... to Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has no crime other than defeating him 4 times in a row, who has been subjected to character assassination for 16 months by TRT, all pro-government channels, the false information notes they served, and the entire mainstream media, and whose honor they have tried to trample underfoot... to Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been waiting for this moment since March 9, they said, 'This state has the capacity to let Alpaslan Aslan present a defense for 76 hours, but your time is 6 hours,' my friends.

They are afraid of this. Today is the day the Palace regime will fall to pieces... The prosecutor is shouting from there, 'Apply 203.'

Let no one take what is said today as a simple statement. Mandela ended his final words by saying he was ready to die. Hear these words, then sleep tonight.

We will sleep with the reality that we are facing the greatest slander in history. Mandela won, Castro won, those who suffered persecution in coups won. Those being tried in this case will win. They are trying to silence the defense because they know this is an appeal to the nation. Do you think we are surprised? We are here with the greatest self-confidence of all time. No matter what the collaborators and sycophants say. Let those who have the courage come and see the massacre of law here."