Critical claim regarding the Ekrem İmamoğlu verdict: It could be announced today!

Journalist Fatih Altaylı has brought to the agenda claims circulating in Ankara political circles that a verdict regarding Ekrem İmamoğlu's 'fool case' could be announced today. İmamoğlu had previously been sentenced to 2 years, 7 months, and 15 days in prison, along with a political ban.

CRITICAL CLAIM FROM ALTAYLI

Journalist Fatih Altaylı has announced a significant claim to the public regarding the 'fool case' in which Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is being tried and for which a political ban is being sought. In a statement on his social media account, Altaylı stated that important developments regarding the İmamoğlu verdict are taking place in Ankara political circles.

Ankara kulislerinde İmamoğlu kararının bugün açıklanabileceği konuşuluyor.

— Fatih Altayli ?????? (@fatihaltayli) September 25, 2024

THE SENTENCE GIVEN TO İMAMOĞLU AND THE TRIAL PROCESS

In the first stage of the trial held at the Istanbul Anadolu 7th Criminal Court of First Instance, İmamoğlu was sentenced to 2 years, 7 months, and 15 days in prison and a political ban. This decision has been moved to the Court of Appeal, which serves as an appellate court. According to Altaylı's claim, it is being discussed in Ankara that this decision could be announced today.

The case continues to be heard in the Court of Appeal, which is a lower tier than the Court of Cassation, which is accepted as the "Supreme Court of Appeals" in Turkey.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

A lawsuit was filed against İBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on the grounds that he insulted the members of the Supreme Election Council (YSK) in response to the remarks he made to Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu following the cancellation of the March 31, 2019 elections by the YSK.

İmamoğlu had responded to a journalist's question regarding remarks made by Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu in a speech, where Soylu had said without naming him, “I am telling the fool who goes to Europe and complains about Turkey. This nation will make you pay the price for this.” İmamoğlu, who said, “When we look at those who cancelled the election on March 31 and where we stand in the eyes of the world, in Europe, and at what happened and what ended, those who cancelled the election on March 31 are exactly the fools. Let him focus on that first,” was subsequently sued by the then-president of the YSK, Sadi Güven, on the grounds that he had insulted himself and the serving board members.

Following the complaint, a lawsuit was filed against İmamoğlu, and he was sentenced to 2 years, 7 months, and 15 days in prison and a political ban.