Rıza Akpolat's testimony process completed: He had been detained in a dawn operation

Akpolat, who was detained as part of a 'dawn operation' conducted at the Beşiktaş Municipality on January 13, began giving his testimony at the Çağlayan Courthouse this evening. Following the completion of his testimony, Akpolat was referred to the courthouse.

Beşiktaş Mayor Akpolat had been detained on charges of 'corruption' and 'misconduct in office'.

In his initial statement, Akpolat denied the accusations and called on CHP members and state institutions to ensure that the social assistance activities of the Beşiktaş Municipality are not disrupted due to the operation and detentions.

SZC TV main news anchor and journalist Fatih Portakal commented on Rıza Akpolat, saying, 'He will be arrested; when we look at precedents, arrest decisions have always been issued. This is a way of teaching a lesson and intimidating (them).'

CHP officials, mayors, and party members who reacted to Akpolat's detention gathered in front of the Beşiktaş Municipality today.

ÖZGÜR ÖZEL REACTED

Delivering a speech in front of the Beşiktaş Municipality, CHP leader Özgür Özel stated the following regarding the operation conducted against Akpolat and the municipal employees:

'Those who think the power they received from the nation belongs to them are making a mistake... The public was pleased with him, and he was pleased with Beşiktaş. This mutual satisfaction brought Mayor Rıza a national record.

If all 31 municipal council members in a district were given to one party, the decision there is absolute. Beşiktaş said, "I have thought it over and made my decision; you should not enter through this door." Beşiktaş decided from whom it would receive service.

Those who cannot enter through this door with the votes of the nation are trying to enter through the judiciary. Everyone must see this; under these circumstances, attempting to assassinate the reputation of CHP municipalities through judicial games is not the work of democracy. This is a sign of exhaustion. I believe there are AKP and MHP voters who see this.'

İMAMOĞLU: 'WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY IS NOT JUST A CHP ISSUE, IT IS THE NATION'S ISSUE'

In addition to Özel, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu also took the floor and reacted to the operations.

In his speech, İmamoğlu expressed the following:

'They did not accept the election we won in 2019 either. They want a Turkey without an opposition. This slap of democracy is still not enough for them. They are still dealing with the nation. Those who cannot digest the fact that the CHP, which won the election on March 31, became the 1st party, also have an obsession with Istanbul. Love, passion, romance are all stories... There is no such thing. They have only one concern. Were they able to get something called a canal into their mouths during the election? They cannot, because the nation does not vote for them. They are one way, then another...

The CHP will always be the first party from now on. We know how they do not listen to the Constitution or anything else. He knows that the only obstacle in front of him is the people who support the CHP. He is trying to force the nation to bow down by removing the mayors elected by the nation. Has this nation ever bowed down to oppression? It has not, and it will not. That is why he will never succeed.

What is happening today is not just a CHP issue, it is the nation's issue!'

Akpolat, whose testimony process was completed, was referred to the courthouse.

Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat