CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made statements regarding the defense presented by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in the ongoing trial. Responding to journalists' questions upon his arrival at the hearing, Özel stated that İmamoğlu’s defense did not merely respond to the accusations against him but also rendered the prosecution's case controversial.
Özel noted that İmamoğlu presented documents in court against the allegations, stating, “Do you understand now why we were asking for a live broadcast with such confidence?” Özel pointed out that MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli had also supported broadcasting the trial and that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had made statements in that direction, yet the hearings were still not broadcast live.
Arguing that İmamoğlu’s defense specifically addressed the allegations regarding the Cebeci file, Özel claimed that the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality had no involvement in the matter, that certain permits were granted by ministries, and that the share was received by the Istanbul Governorship. Özel alleged that the prosecution was unable to respond to these explanations during the hearing.
‘THE RIGHT TO DEFENSE IS SACRED’
Özel also reacted to the investigation launched into İmamoğlu’s defense. Stating that taking such a step between the second and third days of the defense puts pressure on the right to defense, Özel said, “The defense cannot be restricted.”
The CHP leader stated, “The right to defense is sacred. The nation will break the hands that reach out to what is sacred at the ballot box.” Özel criticized the fact that sentences used by İmamoğlu in his own defense were made the subject of an investigation, noting that even lawyers cannot be held responsible for the words they use while defending their clients.
Özel also characterized the decision to shut down Halk TV as an attempt to prevent the public from accessing İmamoğlu’s defense. “They don’t have the courage to broadcast it on TRT,” said Özel, arguing that the trial was not allowed to be watched by wider audiences.
Reminding of İmamoğlu’s work during his tenure at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Özel said that detailed explanations were made in the defense regarding the municipality’s debts, metro investments, social aid, and its stance against Kanal Istanbul. Özel stated that İmamoğlu’s defense was “of a nature that will go down in history.”
News Source: 12punto
