Tensions escalate in IMM trial: Prosecutor tells İmamoğlu, 'We will put you in your place'

The 17th hearing of the 5th week was held today in the case involving a total of 407 defendants, 89 of whom are in custody, as part of the IMM trial. The hearing, where defense statements are ongoing, began tensely following developments from the previous day.

INVESTIGATION INTO YESTERDAY'S STATEMENT

Following the statement made by the detained IMM President Ekrem İmamoğlu upon leaving yesterday's hearing, a new investigation was launched this morning by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on the grounds of "insulting a public official."

In his statement yesterday, İmamoğlu had said, "Do you know why this file collapsed? There is such a conscienceless prosecution, and the prosecution is the only criminal organization in this file."

HEARING BEGAN TENSELY

It was reported that today's hearing began with high tension due to the aforementioned statement and the investigation launched. It was noted that arguments escalated as the defendants entered the courtroom.

HARSH OUTBURST FROM THE PROSECUTOR

It was stated that before the hearing began, the prosecutor said to İmamoğlu, "You made a statement yesterday, is that correct? As the prosecution, we do not accept such remarks."

Upon this, it was reported that İmamoğlu replied, "Is such a dialogue appropriate? This is bullying," and the prosecutor responded, "There is no bullying or anything of the sort. Look, if you overstep your bounds, we will put you in your place."

Here is that dialogue, line by line...

Prosecutor: Mr. President, I had a question for İmamoğlu before we start. Mr. Ekrem, please. I have a question. You can listen from there as well. I believe you made a statement yesterday after the trial; "The prosecution has collapsed" and so on, is that correct?

Ekrem İmamoğlu: I will tell you in a moment...

Prosecutor: Not in a moment, I am asking now. I would appreciate it if you could answer regarding that matter, as there was such a statement made about us.

Ekrem İmamoğlu: I will submit my response shortly.

Prosecutor: Now, before you define a criminal organization, be careful with your statements about the prosecution. A similar situation occurred in the first session, in a tone of holding us accountable. As the prosecution, we do not accept such remarks.

Ekrem İmamoğlu: (His voice is inaudible as he was not given a microphone.) Such a dialogue cannot be established... Mr. Judge, such bullying...

Prosecutor: There is no situation of bullying or anything like that. Look, here the trial... One minute, I am speaking. Refrain from statements that cast a shadow over the trial and attempt to put pressure on the prosecutor's office. This is not the right approach.

Ekrem İmamoğlu: (His words are inaudible...)

Judge: Prosecutor, let's do this, okay... Let's not... Okay... Let's not... Prosecutor, there is no need for this.

Prosecutor: Look, if you overstep your bounds, we will put you in your place as the prosecutor's office. Do not overstep your bounds.

(Ekrem İmamoğlu and the lawyers object to these words...)

Judge: Prosecutor... Like this... Prosecutor... Counsel? Okay Counsel, calm down.

Prosecutor: Your client should be careful with his statements, he is talking about bounds.

Judge: Okay Counsel, okay Prosecutor. Prosecutor, let's not get into personal matters, let's not get into a dialogue. Okay... Okay... Okay Counsel, calm down. Okay, there is no need for this. Prosecutor, there is absolutely no need for this dialogue.

Prosecutor: Mr. Ekrem, be careful with your statements.

Judge: Prosecutor, Prosecutor, let's not... Prosecutor, okay Counsel... Prosecutor, let's not get into personal matters. Prosecutor, let's not prolong this.

Lawyers: The prosecutor should know his place, Mr. President.

Judge: Okay Counsel. You are reacting to the phrase "put in your place," yet you are using the same sentence. Nothing changes. So, Prosecutor, let's not get into that kind of thing, let's not get into a dialogue. There is no need for it right now.

Lawyers: He should speak by getting permission from you. You cannot do the same thing either. We will do the same thing.

Judge: Counsel, okay.

Ekrem İmamoğlu: Who are you looking at, hey?

Judge: Mr. Ekrem. Mr. Ekrem, let's not intervene.

Ekrem İmamoğlu: Not Mr. Ekrem! What is this, who are you looking at?

Judge: Mr. Ekrem, let's not get into this at all.

Prosecutor: Mr. Ekrem, look, right now... I am not losing my composure. Do not address me as 'you' (informal), do not address me as 'you'.

Judge: Prosecutor, let's not get into this. Mr. Ekrem, look...

Prosecutor: Do not address me as 'you'! I am insisting.

Judge: Mr. Prosecutor...

Ekrem İmamoğlu: Did you write the indictment insistently?

Judge: Mr. Ekrem, the prosecutor who wrote the indictment is not the prosecutor present here. Yes, the right to speak... I haven't given the right to speak anyway. The defendant is intervening without being given the right to speak, and you are shouting. Everyone is shouting right now. You are only saying it regarding the Prosecutor, but everyone is doing the same thing right now. Prosecutor, Prosecutor, let's not get into this. Okay.

Lawyer: Mr. President, our colleague's microphone has been turned off, you need to turn it on as well.

BEYOĞLU MUNICIPALITY FILE MERGED

Developments regarding the Beyoğlu Municipality case were also brought to the agenda during the hearing. It was stated that an indictment was prepared for 7 people, including İnan Güney, and that the file was merged with the IMM trial.

NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS MAY INCREASE

With the addition of three more detained defendants within the scope of the merged file, it was stated that the number of detainees in the IMM trial could rise to 92, and the total number of defendants to 414.

It was noted that it is not yet clear whether İnan Güney will come to the courtroom, and if he does, it will be his first time appearing before a judge.

TRIAL PROCESS CONTINUES

In the process, which continued with the interrogation of software engineer Emrah Yüksel in yesterday's session, it was stated that cross-examination and lawyer questioning are continuing in today's session.