Prison Sentence for a Poem? Ekrem İmamoğlu’s Trial Sparks Outrage Over Justice in Turkey

Istanbul Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu was acquitted of charges related to allegedly targeting Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek, but was sentenced to 1 year and 5 months in prison for insulting a public official, in a verdict passed by majority vote.

This marks the third time İmamoğlu stood trial over accusations that he threatened or targeted Gürlek during a panel speech. While the court dismissed the “targeting” allegation, it upheld a charge of insulting a government official, leading to a prison sentence that could impact his presidential campaign. His legal team announced they would appeal the ruling.

Tense Courtroom Moments and a Heated Exchange with the Prosecutor

During his defense, İmamoğlu clashed with the prosecutor, who interrupted him, saying, “Don’t look at me when speaking.” İmamoğlu responded, “I’m not eager to,” sparking tension in the courtroom.

The mayor criticized the political climate and judiciary, stating:

“We’re not here just because of what I said on a panel. If an indictment can be drafted in 20 seconds, then that’s the real issue.”

He added that Turkey’s judiciary has become politicized, and expressed frustration over being tried in courts that, in his words, no longer reflect justice.

“We Did Not Steal Rights, Nor Will We Give Ours Away”

Ending his defense with verses from Nazım Hikmet’s iconic poem “This Country is Ours”, İmamoğlu declared:

“We didn’t steal rights, and we won’t let ours be stolen. I will stand firm against injustice and evil.”

He linked his prosecution to broader issues, from the economic crisis to judicial double standards, stating:

“We’re offering the world the highest interest rate at 46%. Minimum wage falls below the hunger line. We can’t even guarantee fairness in national exams.”

Lawyer Fikret İlkiz: “This is Not a Trial—This is Punishment”

Fikret İlkiz, İmamoğlu’s lead attorney, criticized the court’s conduct, accusing the prosecution of relying solely on media reports from OdaTV to build the case.

“Three separate crimes were fabricated from a few lines. This isn’t justice. This is direct punishment,” he said.

İlkiz highlighted the arrest of another defense lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, who, despite appearing voluntarily before the court, was detained without signing his written defense. He condemned the double standards in treatment of defense attorneys.

Broader Implications: Justice, Politics, and Democratic Integrity

In his statement, İmamoğlu voiced concerns about press freedom, arbitrary detentions, and targeted operations against opposition figures.

“The operation against me over four months is just a fraction of a larger authoritarian playbook,” he stated.
“Let politics stay out of the courtroom. Let the judiciary stay true to justice.”

He also addressed political parties, particularly MHP and DEM Party, urging them to support a transparent and inclusive democratic process, not use the case for personal political gains.

“We Must Break the Chains of Fear”

Despite the sentence, İmamoğlu remained defiant:

“No one should expect us to be silent. We’re not afraid. The people of this country deserve better. A just, democratic, and terror-free Turkey is within reach.”