Message about İmamoğlu from MHP's newspaper: 'Both İmamoğlu and Özdağ could be acquitted'

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, in a statement where he leveled harsh criticisms at the CHP, made a striking remark regarding the judicial process concerning Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Bahçeli stated, "The prosecution stages must be completed with the full addition of witness testimonies, clear and genuine evidence, along with other relevant information, documents, and findings to the case file; if suspect Ekrem İmamoğlu is innocent, his acquittal, and if not, his punishment must be ensured in a manner consistent with the public conscience."

These words were interpreted as the first time the possibility that İmamoğlu might be innocent has been explicitly voiced by the MHP camp.

TÜRKGÜN NEWSPAPER CARRIED IT AS A HEADLINE

The Türkgün newspaper, known for its proximity to the MHP, carried Bahçeli's statement on its front page. Although the headline "CHP is After Chaos" was used, the words "prosecution must be completed" regarding Ekrem İmamoğlu were emphasized, particularly in the subheadings. The news, which highlighted Bahçeli's emphasis on the judicial process, was interpreted as a sign that the approach within the party is also changing.

PREDICTION FROM HATİPOĞLU: "RELEASE MAY COME IN THE SUMMER"

Legal expert and political commentator Afşin Hatipoğlu argued in a statement on his social media account that Bahçeli's words contain an important message. Hatipoğlu made the following assessment:

"Bahçeli does not make a statement just so İmamoğlu gets a sentence. They have already taken the man's diploma and his freedom. If Bahçeli says something, it is usually the opposite. They postponed Özdağ's hearing to June. The fact that this statement coincides with the same day could be a sign of the release of both Özdağ and İmamoğlu in the summer."

WHY DID BAHÇELİ MAKE THIS STATEMENT?

Continuing his posts, Afşin Hatipoğlu also shared his assessments in bullet points regarding why Devlet Bahçeli made the statement calling for Ekrem İmamoğlu to be tried immediately and released if he is innocent.

Hatipoğlu's post is as follows:

In 8 points, why did Bahçeli say "Try İmamoğlu immediately"?

While İmamoğlu is inside, the Apo/PKK process is being overshadowed and is not progressing.

İmamoğlu being inside does not serve Bahçeli's goals. He knows that the İmamoğlu operation is entirely AK Party-centered.

He is aware that the AKP cannot control the economy and that without managing the economy, they cannot manage the country.

He sees that the public is turning everything into protest material and that these protests have a response on the streets.

There is a large segment waiting for a general amnesty from Bahçeli. And these times are a waste of time.

Bahçeli is at least as powerful in the judiciary as Erdoğan; it is likely that information that the file is empty has also been given to Bahçeli.

Even if they say 2028, they want to take the country to an election; he knows that the election process cannot begin while İmamoğlu is inside.

He thinks that Mansur Yavaş has been left out of the game in this process. This is not a situation that Bahçeli would want. Because the opposition becomes one and is read as a single pole through İmamoğlu. Since Mansur Yavaş will not re-enter the game until İmamoğlu is out, Bahçeli wants to play this card as well. Because he knows that an independent Mansur Yavaş candidacy would carry the election to a second round, and that this would benefit Erdoğan.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS MUCH MORE INTERESTING?

Journalist Murat Yetkin also carried Bahçeli's statement to his column today. Yetkin evaluated Bahçeli's words as 'a friendly warning to the AKP.' On the other hand, Yetkin pointed to a much different point, stating, "Do you know what is as interesting as Bahçeli's statement and a sign that developments show discomfort within the AK Party? It is that this statement by Bahçeli did not appear at all on the front pages of Hürriyet, Sabah, Yeni Şafak, and Türkiye, which are on the AK Party line. Milliyet—in journalistic parlance—gave it, even if it was a 'single column at the bottom.' Akit and Akşam, like Türkgün on the MHP line, saw it from the 'CHP is after chaos' part. There is intense activity behind closed doors in Ankara."

The relevant sections of Yetkin's article are as follows:

Two expressions in the sentences are in the nature of two friendly warnings to the AK Party.

The first is the expression "clear and genuine evidence," and the other is the condition of "acquittal if innocent."

The MHP leader is expressing the possibility that İmamoğlu might be innocent for the first time.

For this reason, he demands that the necessary action be taken as soon as possible, whether İmamoğlu is guilty or innocent.

So, from whom is he demanding this? From the Turkish judiciary, which Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç repeats every day is independent? If so, I don't think an investigation will be opened and a summary of proceedings prepared against Bahçeli for interfering with the functioning of the judiciary because of this. Or is Bahçeli demanding this from his People's Alliance ally Erdoğan, asking him to interfere in the judicial process?

Bahçeli, whether from Erdoğan or the judiciary, wants it to be determined as soon as possible whether İmamoğlu is innocent or not. Before more police vehicles are pulled in front of high schools, before the left fists of young people worried about their future in universities are raised more often alongside grey wolf signs, before the CHP starts to interpret and get ahead of dissident voices other than itself, and before attention shifts more from the Öcalan Opening, of which Bahçeli is the author, to demands for democracy and justice...

Here is today's headline of the Türkgün newspaper...