Request for continued detention for 46 people in the İmamoğlu case

At the hearing held by the Istanbul 33rd High Criminal Court in the hall opposite the Marmara Closed Penal Institution, Medya AŞ Chairman Murat Ongun was given the floor to request release.

Defendant Ongun stated that he was arrested on March 23 and said, "We were arrested with the statements of secret witnesses. We listened to the statements of the people who caused our arrest. People have been detained for 600 days. People are trying to prove their innocence, document by document." he said.

Claiming that the reports in the indictment were erroneous, Ongun claimed that there were contradictions in the statements of those who were subject to effective remorse.

Defendant Ongun said, "Justice cannot be obtained from the pressure. But I learned how to get out of the pressure from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. I will also get out of this pressure." he declared.

The detained defendant Fatih Keleş, the President of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Sports Club, claimed that the statements made about him were not true and that there were contradictions in the statements.

Speaking about the actions alleged in the indictment, defendant Keleş stated that it was understood in court that the HTS records did not match the statements.

Defendant Keleş stated that there was no evidence regarding the money allegedly given to him in the indictment, and this was also revealed in the statements in court.

Keleş, who denied the accusations against him, demanded that his detention be ended.

Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was suspended from his duty as the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) after his arrest, also stated that they have been in Silivri for 602 days and said that they were in this courtroom for the release decisions before the interim decision in the 3rd hearing of the case.

İmamoğlu argued that "not a single piece of evidence, not a single image, voice recording or document has been found during the operation, prosecution and interrogation processes that have been carried out with unlawful methods for 20 months" and added: "All my companions here should be released immediately, without waiting even for a minute, and should be tried without detention, not in detention." he declared.

Defendant İmamoğlu stated that 236 of the 602 days were spent waiting for this indictment to be written, and the remaining 366 days were the responsibility of this court.

Claiming that the court committee is responsible for the detention of his companions for a year due to all the work and transactions carried out here, İmamoğlu said, "I am also in direct opposition to the panel that says we stand behind all the decisions. Despite a collapsed indictment, the decisions to continue the detention given in every investigation are not law, but cruelty. I condemn these decisions in the strongest terms." he said.

Presiding Judge Selçuk Aylan said, "Mr. Ekrem, adjust your tone of voice" while the defendant İmamoğlu was speaking. he warned. Thereupon, İmamoğlu said, "My tone of voice is very good." he said.

President Aylan said, "Do not wave your hands and talk." Upon his warning, İmamoğlu said, "Okay, let me finish my speech." He continued his speech by saying.

Defendant İmamoğlu criticized the questions asked by the prosecutor's office in cross-examination.

Stating that the arrest is a measure and cannot be used as punishment, İmamoğlu said, "Here is a 4 thousand page indictment, 80 thousand pages of annexes, which has now reached 350 thousand pages. I am someone for whom a sentence of 2 thousand 430 years is sought. And I am asked 10-15 questions, 10-15 questions following each other. I leave the seriousness of the prosecution and its intention to seek the truth to the conscience of our nation." he said.

İmamoğlu said, "I don't care about anyone, I spoke to 87 million of my citizens. If you are going to decide on their behalf, I also spoke to you. You will either take my words or not. I condemn this process that has been carried out with detention for 2 years. It is up to you to correct these mistakes or not, you will decide." he declared.

Defendant İmamoğlu said, "I am against your decision as long as all my friends are not released." He concluded his words by saying.

Other detained defendants who were promised also requested their release.

The public prosecutor requested that all detained defendants be continued in this situation.

The hearing was adjourned.