İmamoğlu appears before judge for the first time in diploma case: Hearing adjourned to October 20

CHP's detained presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu appeared before a judge at Silivri Prison for the first hearing of the case in which he is being tried on charges of "forgery of official documents." With the case moved from Çağlayan Courthouse to Silivri following a change, this marked the first time İmamoğlu appeared in court for this case in Silivri.

GREETED WITH SLOGANS

İmamoğlu entered the courtroom accompanied by chants of "President Ekrem" and "President İmamoğlu." Applauded for minutes by party members in the hall, İmamoğlu was greeted in an atmosphere reminiscent of a rally. It was observed that the courtroom was completely full.

UP TO 8 YEARS IN PRISON SOUGHT FOR İMAMOĞLU

A prison sentence of up to 8 years and 9 months is being requested for İmamoğlu on charges of serial forgery of official documents. The first hearing of the case, known in the public eye as the "Diploma Case," was held today at 11:00 at Silivri Prison.

CHP FIGURES AND HIS FAMILY ATTENDED THE HEARING

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, numerous CHP deputies, mayors, and party members attended the hearing. Additionally, Ekrem İmamoğlu's family attended the hearing to show their support. İmamoğlu's wife Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, his son Selim İmamoğlu, his father Hasan İmamoğlu, and his sister Neslihan Yakupçebioğlu came to Silivri to observe the proceedings.

MASTER'S DEGREE RESPONSE APPLAUDED

During the hearing of the case filed against CHP's detained presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu on the allegation that his diploma is fake, his educational status was asked.

İmamoğlu's response of "master's degree" was met with applause in the hall.

"THANK GOD I HAVE NO CRIMINAL RECORD"

When asked by the court about his "criminal record status," İmamoğlu replied, "Thank God, I don't have one." As the judge recalled the indictment in the diploma case, Ekrem İmamoğlu reacted by saying, "Nothing you are describing has anything to do with me."

"I AM LISTENING WITH ASTONISHMENT"

İmamoğlu said, "I hope he is listening too, that person who has no documents in his hand... You are reading at length, I did not understand your intention. I was 18 years old. I am listening with astonishment to how I could have done these things."

HE TOOK OFF HIS JACKET, THE JUDGE WARNED THE HALL

When İmamoğlu took off his jacket in the courtroom, the hall applauded again, prompting the judge to warn the hall and ask the audience to remain 'reasonable'.

"SOME DO NOT HAVE A FRIEND TO PLAY BACKGAMMON WITH"

Pointing to his university friends in the courtroom, İmamoğlu said, "I can play a double-goal match with my university friends. Some people don't have a friend to play backgammon with."

"THIS INDICTMENT WAS WRITTEN BY THE PERSON WHO KNOWS HE WILL BE DEFEATED IN THE NEXT ELECTION"

İmamoğlu made the following statements:

-This indictment was written by the person who knows he will be defeated in the next election. The very existence of this case is a disgrace. Today is September 12. September 12 clearly reminds the Turkish public of the coup. Whether military, civilian, political, carried out by the government, or by a community fed by the government. I condemn all coups, those who carry them out, those who applaud them, those who flatter them, those who support them, and those who act as their tools at the highest level.

I hope our country does not face such coups, but unfortunately, I would like to underline that we are currently in the process of a coup. I would like to clearly underline once again that those who make the decisions and those who are instrumental in this process are making society and the future of the nation pay a very heavy price.

HE THREW HIS TIE TO ÖZGÜR ÇELİK

Ekrem İmamoğlu took off his tie and threw it to Özgür Çelik.

HE SPOKE BY HITTING THE PODIUM

Hitting the podium, İmamoğlu said, "An execution is taking place here. A trial without a fair process. They are trying to create fear here. They think they can silence us in dungeons. No matter how much they want to, they will not be able to silence us."

DETAINED LAWYER WILL DEFEND İMAMOĞLU

A first in judicial history occurred during the hearing, which the public is following with curiosity. It was permitted for Ekrem İmamoğlu's lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, who was arrested in the IMM investigation, to defend his client.

A connection was established via SEGBİS for Pehlivan, who is detained at Silivri Prison, to defend İmamoğlu.

Journalist İsmail Saymaz shared the historic event as follows:

"A FIRST IN JUDICIAL HISTORY"

"The Istanbul 59th Criminal Court of First Instance, which is hearing the Diploma Case, allowed Ekrem İmamoğlu's detained lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan to act as a lawyer in the hearing.

A connection has now been established with Silivri Prison, and Pehlivan is expected to participate in the hearing via SEGBİS.

This is happening for the first time."

MEHMET PEHLİVAN CONNECTED TO THE COURTROOM

Lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan connected to the courtroom. According to what lawyer Mehmet Can Seyhan reported from the courtroom, Ekrem İmamoğlu greeted his detained lawyer Pehlivan with these words:

"I greet my dear lawyer, my precious brother Mehmet Pehlivan. I wish for him to regain his freedom as soon as possible and join my defense team. This shame must be remedied immediately."

İmamoğlu's detained lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan took the floor.

Pehlivan's first words were as follows:

"I greet everyone there, all the lawyers, and all the imprisoned lawyers with respect. A first is happening. I have been made ready. I don't even have my robe. I cannot meet with my client."

"Lawyers perform this duty at the risk of being imprisoned. You see my situation."

REFUSED TO DEFEND İMAMOĞLU

Saying, "I don't have my robe, I haven't met with my client," Pehlivan refused to make a defense in this manner. Pehlivan requested to be in the courtroom at the next hearing.

Pehlivan said the following:

"This situation shows that my client's and my right to a fair trial are being violated. How can I make a defense in this state? I refuse to make a defense in this state. I request that I be brought to the courtroom for the next session and be given the opportunity to make a defense."

The presiding judge said they would evaluate Pehlivan's request.

HEARING ADJOURNED

After a long break, the judge announced his interim decision. The court adjourned the next hearing of the case to Monday, October 20, 2025, at 11:00.

The court, which rejected the request for Mehmet Pehlivan to be physically brought to the next hearing, also decided that the next hearing would be held in Silivri.

News Source: 12punto