Özel Defends Imamoğlu and Karalar, Challenges Erdoğan to Early Election

CHP leader Özgür Özel has fiercely criticized the recent legal actions against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and Adana Mayor Zeydan Karalar, calling the detentions part of a broader campaign to silence the opposition. Responding to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s remark that “We defeated them,” Özel countered sharply:

“You’ve lost to Ekrem İmamoğlu four times. If there’s someone truly undefeated in Türkiye, it’s him.”

Legal Pressure on Opposition Mayors Sparks Political Backlash

Speaking after a visit to Marmara Prison in Silivri, where he met with a list of detained political figures, Özel accused the government of using the judiciary to suppress dissent. He claimed Karalar’s arrest stems from false accusations tied to a 14-year-old municipal contract during the AKP’s tenure in Adana, stating:

“Zeydan is being punished for not awarding a new contract and for making legal payments inherited from the AKP era. The claims against him are fabrications.”

Özel emphasized that Karalar’s case lacks any organized crime element, saying he visited without needing the Justice Ministry’s permission.

“Imamoğlu’s Crime? Beating Erdoğan—Three Times”

Özel portrayed the legal moves against İmamoğlu as retribution for defeating Erdoğan’s candidates repeatedly.

“His only crime is winning. And mine? Leading a movement to defeat this government through democratic means,” he declared.

He denounced the court rulings as pre-determined and influenced from above, stating:

“The judges had made their decision even before hearing the case. This is not justice—it’s political vengeance.”

“Bring the Ballot on November 2” – Early Election Challenge

Özel renewed his call for early elections, daring Erdoğan to put his popularity to the test:

“Let’s go to the polls on November 2. If the people want you to stay despite this poverty, let them decide.”

He claimed CHP’s candidate is ready, even if Erdoğan refuses to announce his own, adding:

“We will beat you with just a passport photo.”

PKK Disarmament Welcomed

On a separate note, Özel also commented on Abdullah Öcalan’s recent call for the PKK to lay down arms, describing it as a positive development:

“If the terrorist organization disarms, we welcome it. This may be our last chance to rid Türkiye of the terrorism issue. We must not waste it.”

Upcoming Rally for Democracy

Özel is set to speak at the “Millet İradesine Sahip Çıkıyor” rally at 8:30 PM in Sancaktepe’s Sarıgazi Democracy Street, marking the 12th rally held in protest of Imamoğlu’s detention.