İmamoğlu issues declaration from Silivri: Reminds of court rulings

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been imprisoned since March 23, has released a declaration from his 12-square-meter cell in Silivri through his lawyers. 

At the beginning of the text, it was stated that restrictions had been placed on access to the right to defense, using the phrases, "Being a presidential candidate is a crime, having a diploma is a crime, opening nurseries and building dormitories is a crime."

In the declaration, it was claimed that the national will had been violated and the rule of law disregarded, and the political power's understanding of democracy was criticized. The current situation was described with the words, "Their democracy is as much of a democracy as an electric chair is a chair."

REACTIONS TO THE İBB INDICTMENT

Evaluating the İBB indictment, which exceeds 4,000 pages, İmamoğlu argued that the indictment, described as being "like a brick," was "not even like particle board." The view was expressed that the messages given regarding the fight against terrorism and social unity were being manipulated for political purposes. Stating that "A Turkey without terrorism is the project of our state and our nation," it was conveyed that there are those who sabotage this project.

DEMİRTAŞ, YÜKSEKDAĞ, AND ATALAY RULINGS

It was emphasized that despite the release and retrial decisions issued by high judicial bodies, Selahattin Demirtaş, Figen Yüksekdağ, and Can Atalay have not been released. It was also pointed out that Selçuk Mızraklı, who is stated to have met the conditions for parole, has not regained his freedom. In İmamoğlu's statement, it was claimed that judicial processes are creating pressure on the national will.

Stating that democracy and justice are suffering more damage every day, it was noted that the unity and integrity of society are being harmed. It was conveyed that the danger currently faced can be explained by the lines of Mehmet Akif Ersoy: "Unless discord enters a nation, the enemy cannot enter." The view was included that if there is unity, no power can intimidate Turkey.

In İmamoğlu's text, it was stated that politics conducted by dividing or polarizing will not benefit anyone, and the phrase "There is no power above the will of the nation" was used. The view was expressed that this will would certainly be demonstrated during the election period.