Tensions rise in the courtroom during the IMM trial: Ekrem İmamoğlu reacts, 'Who pushed me?'

The 47th session of the trial, opened in accordance with the indictment prepared as part of the investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, was held.

A total of 414 defendants, 68 of whom are in custody, including the imprisoned and suspended CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, are being tried in the case.

While some defendants not in custody and their lawyers attended the hearing, CHP deputies and relatives of the imprisoned defendants were also present in the courtroom as observers.

It was stated that the defense statements of former Medya A.Ş. General Manager Elif Atayman and Medya A.Ş. Public Relations Manager Elif Güven were planned for today's session.

STRIKING ACCUSATIONS IN THE INDICTMENT

Numerous accusations were directed at Ekrem İmamoğlu in the 3,809-page indictment completed on November 11, 2025.

The indictment alleges that İmamoğlu committed various crimes, including 'establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes,' 'bribery,' 'laundering of proceeds of crime,' 'fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations,' 'recording personal data,' 'seizing and disseminating personal data,' 'concealing evidence of a crime,' 'preventing communication,' 'damaging public property,' 'extortion,' 'rigging bids,' 'intentional pollution of the environment,' 'violation of the Tax Procedure Law,' 'violation of the Forestry Law,' and 'violation of the Mining Law.'

A prison sentence ranging from 828 years and 2 months to 2,352 years is being requested for İmamoğlu due to 142 separate acts.

TENSION DURING THE COURT RECESS

A notable incident occurred as Ekrem İmamoğlu was leaving the courtroom following a recess.

According to reports, İmamoğlu shouted 'Full speed ahead' while descending the stairs. It was stated that he stumbled and nearly fell as a result of intervention by the gendarmerie.

Following the incident, it was reported that İmamoğlu reacted toward the gendarmerie officers.

'DID YOU PUSH ME DOWN THE STAIRS?'

Taking the floor after the incident, Ekrem İmamoğlu claimed that an officer had pushed him and stated the following:

'Did you push me just now? Did you push me just now? Did you push me down the stairs? Did you push me, did you push me? How rude. Did you push me just now? Commander; I was about to fall down the stairs, who pushed me just now? You lied when you said the car was broken, too. Now you are doing the same thing. Who pushed me from behind? Who pushed me from behind? Do not do it again. I will file a criminal complaint against you. You cannot prevent me from speaking.'

DIALOGUE WITH THE GENDARMERIE

It was reported that following İmamoğlu's reaction, a gendarmerie officer stated, 'This is not the place to talk.'

Upon this, it was noted that İmamoğlu replied, 'This is the place to talk. If you didn't see it, I am informing you, Commander. I am informing you. They pushed me from behind in an uncontrolled manner. I am reporting it to you.'

It was reported that some lawyers present in the courtroom also spoke up regarding the incident, saying, 'We saw it too, yes.'

'FULL SPEED AHEAD' MESSAGE

Following the brief argument, it was stated that Ekrem İmamoğlu once again used the phrase 'Full speed ahead.'