Court sentences İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu to prison and imposed a political ban

The verdict was announced in the lawsuit filed against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu for insulting the members of the Supreme Election Board (YSK). The court sentenced İmamoğlu to 2 years, 7 months and 15 days of imprisonment and imposed a political ban on him..

WHAT WAS THE "IDIOT" CASE, WHAT HAPPENED?

IBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu criticised the Supreme Election Board in his speech at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe held in Strasburg, France on 30 October 2019.

Imamoğlu said, "The government wanted to win the election, which it could not win by manipulation, by cancelling it with the decision of the Supreme Election Board, which is authorized to manage the elections. But despite all the power of the government, the strong will of our citizens was once again in favour of democracy on the night of 23 June with a much stronger and louder voice. Putting obstacles in the way of citizens' free exercise of their right to vote and be elected will only strengthen those who seek undemocracy."

Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu made a statement on 4 November 2019 and said "I am telling the idiot who went to the European Parliament and complained about Turkey; this nation will make you pay for it. Shame on you".

Responding to Soylu again on 4 November, Imamoğlu stated that he would not go down to that level against these words and said, "When we look at the things that are happening in the world, in Europe, where we have fallen in their eyes, those who cancelled the election on 31 March are fools, let him focus on that first."

Upon the events, a lawsuit was filed against İmamoğlu by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office based on the criminal complaint made by the Presidency of the Supreme Board of Elections with the deliberation dated 15 December 2019.

İMAMOĞLU: EVERYTHING WILL BE MUCH BETTER IN 2023

Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu made a speech to the crowd gathered in Saraçhane after the decision. Stating that they will be in the field again with the leaders of the six tables for today, Imamoğlu said, "We will be together more and more. Now we are starting a beautiful moment of our unity and solidarity this evening. Tomorrow it will grow much bigger. Our presidents will be here. We will always be together." After using the expressions, he left the floor to IYI Party Chair Meral Akşener.

AKŞENER: "THE MAIN COURT IS HERE"

Akşener said. Today, behind this decision for my brother Ekrem, Ekrem President, there is a fear for you, for democracy, for the will of the nation. They are afraid, but we are not. Long live freedom, down with tyranny. 

REACTIONS TO THE DECISION...

KILIÇDAROĞLU: EVERY VERDICT OTHER THAN ACQUITTAL IS A CONFESSION OF CONSPIRACY

CHP Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu also shared a video about the trial with the title "Justice, justice, justice!". Kılıçdaroğlu said, "The judge who is in charge of the case in which Ekrem Mayor and the people of Istanbul are on trial previously said, 'The addressee of the words is clear, it is clear that they were said to Süleyman Soylu. The decision of a judge who says this is clear and clear. Any decision other than acquittal will be a confession of the palace instruction and conspiracy. I warn the palace for the last time, take your hand off the judiciary. This people are not orphans. Come to your senses," he said.

BABACAN: WE EXPECT A FAIR VERDICT

Ali Babacan, Chair of DEVA Party, said on his Twitter account, "President Erdoğan should know best that the national will cannot be prevented by political judicial decisions. We expect a fair decision from the judiciary regarding Mr Imamoğlu, the Mayor of IBB."

EMEP: IT IS A FORCED AND BASELESS CASE,

Labour Party (EMEP) Chair Ercüment Akdeniz said, "The lawsuit filed against IBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is a forced and groundless lawsuit, it should be dropped. Political pressure on the judiciary must end."

TİP: WE'LL BE THERE TO PROTECT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE

The Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) also announced that its Istanbul Provincial Organisation will be at Saraçhane at 16.00 today to show solidarity and defend the will of the people.

HDP: A CONTINUATION OF THE POLITICAL CONSPIRACY PROCESS

HDP Co-Chair Mithat Sancar: The sentence given to Ekrem İmamoğlu is a continuation of the political conspiracy process initiated by the trustee coup. You will not be able to shape politics and the future of the country with conspiracies and judicial coup! We will definitely end this period with a common struggle for democracy. (EVRENSEL DAILY)