İmamoğlu Defends Himself in Silivri: “We’re Not Being Tried, We’re Being Punished”

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu appeared in Silivri Courthouse for the second hearing of the case in which he is accused of targeting Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek. Facing up to 7 years and 4 months in prison and a political ban, İmamoğlu used his defense to highlight what he described as political persecution, saying, “We are not being tried—we are being punished.”

Charges of Insult, Threat, and Targeting Officials

The court case stems from İmamoğlu’s statements allegedly directed at individuals involved in counterterrorism efforts, which prosecutors claim include insult, threat, and revealing identities. The public prosecutor demanded convictions on all three charges, alongside the imposition of a political ban. The second hearing began with İmamoğlu’s comprehensive defense against these charges.

The trial is being closely followed by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, signaling its political significance ahead of national elections.

“This Isn’t Justice—It’s Retribution”

Highlighting the broader political context, İmamoğlu addressed the court:

“The country is burning. The economy has collapsed. People are hopeless. But you’re still chasing punishment. My image is banned, my voice is banned, social media is banned.”

He criticized the move to hold the trial in Silivri instead of Çağlayan Courthouse, adding that he had been held in what he called a “dungeon” for nearly 90 days, without fair justification.

Tribute to Ferdi Zeyrek and Message on War

İmamoğlu opened his remarks by paying tribute to the late Manisa Metropolitan Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek, saying he left behind a lesson in public service:

“In just 14 months, he won the hearts of the people by leading without discrimination.”

Shifting to international issues, he also commented on the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict, referencing Atatürk’s principle that ‘war is murder unless necessary’. He warned that when democratic institutions erode, conflicts become inevitable.

“I’m Here Because I Beat the System Three Times”

Calling out what he described as a politically motivated legal campaign, İmamoğlu said:

“I’m here because I defeated the mindset that says ‘Whoever wins Istanbul, wins Turkey’—not once, but three times.”

He accused the authorities of orchestrating a politically charged trial due to his stance against rent-seeking, support for transparency, and his role as a presidential candidate.

A New Investigation Emerges

While this high-profile trial continues, İmamoğlu faces yet another legal probe, this time over allegations of a forged diploma, raising further concerns about the increasing number of judicial inquiries against opposition figures.

Summary

The Silivri trial of Ekrem İmamoğlu highlights deep tensions between Turkey’s political opposition and the judiciary. As the mayor fights charges carrying severe prison time and a political ban, he frames the case as punitive, not legal—an attempt to silence dissent ahead of national elections.