Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has announced that he will donate the 25 thousand TL in non-pecuniary damages he won from the lawsuit filed against Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin to the students arrested during the Saraçhane protests.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
The controversy began over the authority of municipalities to open nurseries and kindergartens. On November 27, 2024, Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin stated that municipalities do not have the authority in this matter and criticized Ekrem İmamoğlu, saying, "He must have been inspired by the language of the terrorist groups he acts in concert with, as he is challenging the rules of the rule of law." This statement drew a reaction from İmamoğlu, who shared the ministry's letter and criticized Tekin's remarks.
İmamoğlu's lawyer, Kemal Polat, filed a lawsuit at the Istanbul 13th Civil Court of First Instance demanding 50 thousand TL in compensation from Tekin. The court ruled that 25 thousand TL in non-pecuniary damages, along with legal interest, should be collected from Tekin and given to İmamoğlu. Following the decision, it was stated that the right to appeal to the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice remains open.
News Source: 12punto
