Imprisoned Mayor İmamoğlu Shares Eid Message from Silivri: “I’m in Millions of Hearts”

Istanbul Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, currently imprisoned in Silivri, shared an emotional Eid al-Adha message from behind bars. Calling it a deeply personal moment, İmamoğlu said:

“For the first time, I’m spending an Eid al-Adha in prison. Normally, I would kiss the hands of my elders, reunite with my extended family, and, if possible, visit my hometown to receive the blessings of my elders.

Yes, I’m far from my family, loved ones, home, and work. I am a victim of a great injustice, a great conspiracy. But I know that through my struggle, I reside in the hearts of millions. I am absolutely certain that once we emerge from this whirlpool, the whole country will breathe easier.”

Solidarity with Jailed Allies

İmamoğlu extended his Eid greetings to his fellow detained colleagues, condemning what he described as politically motivated transfers to distant prisons:

“My greatest sorrow this Eid is for my comrades who were unjustly arrested and transferred to distant prisons solely to torment their families. I send heartfelt Eid wishes to them and their families. With all my heart, strength, and prayers, I stand by them.”

“They’ll Be Gone, Never to Return”

In his message, İmamoğlu accused the current government of losing touch with the people and using vindictive tactics out of desperation:

“Make no mistake — the only reason they do this to our families is because they’ve grown weak and completely disconnected from the nation.
This mindset is nearing its end. Soon, they will be gone, never to return.
And you — you will leave behind a legacy of honor, resistance, and a story of victory.”

“The True Eid Will Come When Türkiye Is Free from These Plots”

Concluding his message with a hopeful and defiant tone, İmamoğlu promised that Türkiye would celebrate a true national holiday when it rids itself of what he called “dark, conspiratorial forces”:

“This country will celebrate its real Eid only when it is freed from these sneaky, coup-mongering, treacherous operators.
We will win. The people will win. Eid Mubarak to you all.”