'Verbal instruction' crisis in IMM investigation: Lawyers blocked from meetings

The 5th wave of operations was carried out recently as part of the investigation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Within the scope of the investigation, detention warrants were issued for 47 people, including the CHP mayors of Avcılar, Büyükçekmece, and Gaziosmanpaşa. While 34 people were taken into custody, new allegations regarding the process have begun to emerge in the public eye.

Making statements on his social media account regarding the investigation, CHP High Disciplinary Board member İsmail Emre Telci claimed that the prosecutor conducting the investigation was acting unlawfully. Telci stated that the prosecutor had issued a verbal instruction preventing a lawyer from meeting with another suspect after having already met with one.

“THE INSTRUCTION WAS VERBAL, THE POLICE RECORDED IT”

Telci used the following expressions in his statement:

“The prosecutor conducting the latest operation against CHP politicians and municipal staff gave verbal instructions to the police under his command. According to this, a lawyer who met with one suspect would not be able to meet with another. This ban was not written; it was based entirely on a verbal instruction. However, the police recorded this situation in an official report.”

“THIS OPERATION IS AN INDICATOR OF ARBITRARINESS”

Arguing that the practice in question is incompatible with the law, Telci continued as follows:

“We are facing an example that shows how arbitrarily this operation is being conducted. The prosecutor's office is not applying the laws, but its own rules. Lawlessness has become the rule, not the exception.”

“A PROCESS WHERE THE DEFENSE IS DESTROYED”

Expressing his reaction in his statement, Telci stated that the right to defense is being ignored in the judicial process and used the following expressions:

“We are experiencing an investigation process where the defense is absent and disregarded. We will use all our legal rights to the fullest against these practices. Let no one expect political gain from this lawlessness. Anyone hoping for help from this injustice will be left empty-handed.”

News Source: 12punto