Notable change before İmamoğlu's testimony: Prosecutor replaced, Gürlek on leave

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu will testify today at the Çağlayan Courthouse as part of two investigations opened against him. However, a remarkable development occurred just hours before his testimony: the prosecutor who was to take İmamoğlu's statement was replaced. On the other hand, the fact that Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek, who is at the center of the investigation, went on leave during the week has sparked debate.

PROSECUTOR REPLACED, GÜRLEK ON LEAVE

İmamoğlu is expected to testify as part of investigations launched against him over allegations of "threatening and targeting Akın Gürlek" and "targeting an expert witness" following his remarks after the detention of CHP Youth Branch President Cem Aydın. However, according to Halk TV columnist İsmail Saymaz, the prosecutor who was to take İmamoğlu's statement has been replaced. Furthermore, it was noted that Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek, who is the subject of the investigation, went on leave during the week.

EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES AT ÇAĞLAYAN

Intense security measures have been taken around the Çağlayan Courthouse ahead of İmamoğlu's testimony. While CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and party officials are expected to arrive at the courthouse to show their support, authorities are creating an atmosphere akin to a state of emergency in the area.

Similar changes have occurred previously in cases where İmamoğlu was tried. During the "fool case" process, the local court judge and the appellate panel were changed, and in the "bid rigging" case regarding his term as Mayor of Beylikdüzü, the prosecutor took sick leave one day before the hearing.

WHAT DID İMAMOĞLU SAY ABOUT AKIN GÜRLEK?

In his statement following the detention of Cem Aydın, İmamoğlu directed harsh criticism at Akın Gürlek and used the following expressions:

"You summon my young friend, my youth branch president, for a statement and raid his house with seven or eight police officers. Your goal is to intimidate the nation. Look, Chief Prosecutor, we will be of no use to you. Your mindset is rotten. But this nation will rip out the mind that governs you, do not forget this."

EXPERT WITNESS IDENTIFIED

Following these statements, an investigation was opened against İmamoğlu on charges of "threatening and targeting," and he was summoned to the prosecutor's office on charges of "targeting an expert witness in a way that would produce results in favor of investigation suspects" and "attempting to influence the judiciary" due to his remarks at a press conference titled "The Big Turnip."

News Source: 12punto