At the hearing held by the Istanbul 33rd High Criminal Court in the hall opposite the Marmara Closed Penal Institution, some detained defendants and their lawyers were given the floor to request release within the scope of the monthly detention review.
Istanbul Planning Agency President Buğra Gökçe, one of the detained defendants, argued that he was only doing his duty, that he was a public servant and that he signed as per his duty.
Gökçe claimed that his name was not mentioned in the protests and that he did not know or know the people who would receive the tender.
Gökçe, who claimed that he did not choke on any illicit food, that he did not commit any crime, and that he lived an exemplary life, requested his release.
Another detained defendant, IMM Deputy Secretary General Gürkan Akgün, also criticized the expert reports and claimed that these reports were prepared with factual errors and legal distortions.
Akgün explained the methods of holding the tenders and stated that the actions taken were in accordance with the legislation and law.
Stating that he worked for the public good throughout his duty, Akgün said, "I did not pursue personal interests. I did not and will not take any action for the interests of the so-called organization." he said. Defendant Akgün requested his release.
Murat Ongun, Advisor to the President of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Medya AŞ, stated that he has been detained for 18 months and claimed that he was punished according to the indictment.
Ongun argued that he should not have been in prison for 18 months based on attributed perceptions and exaggerated expressions and said, "I should say that I am lying here rightfully, but right now I am lying unjustly." he declared. Ongun, who wanted the court to be fair, requested his release.
Some detained defendants and their lawyers also requested release.
Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was recently suspended from his promised post as the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), stated that they were in the largest courtroom in Türkiye and even Europe, and said:
"The real question is, how much justice can such a big hall host or can host? Of course, our precious nation will give the answer. Eventually, our nation will answer this and of course do what is necessary. When we look at this hall, in an environment where the concept of 'organization' is actually being talked about, when I look at my dear friends of destiny who are behind me, especially our female friends, everyone can see that no organization will emerge from here. Whoever wants to look can see. If he does not look, if he does not want to see, "We are not in a position to show it to him by force. There is no organization out of this, the nation sees this. There is no criminal organization here. In fact, I have friends of fate who are fighting against great cruelty."
Expressing that he wanted the hearings to be broadcast live, İmamoğlu said that he also wanted the hearings from the first day of the hearings to be broadcast live.
Stating that he defends freedom, dignity and labor, İmamoğlu said, "All claims are garbage and collapsed. You know, 'Let the defense be made according to the evidence.' It is said, 6 months have passed, no one has seen a single piece of evidence in this court, and neither have I. "If anyone saw it, they should report it now, I will apologize." he declared.
Arguing that the first intervention to the right of defense started when his lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan was arrested and that his right to defense was subsequently taken away from him in Silivri, İmamoğlu claimed that he was asked to finish his defense in 7-8 hours, a time limit was imposed and his defense was prevented.
Stating that he has not been wronged and will not give up his rights, İmamoğlu said, "I was removed from the courtroom. The decision not to be brought to the hearing was implemented irregularly." he declared.
İmamoğlu wanted all his friends to be freed and said, "The nation is the witness of this case. The nation is the witness of these unlawfulnesses. Here is Ekrem İmamoğlu, who will fight until the end for the Republic, democracy and justice, even if the price is his life. I will continue to try those who wrote this indictment here." he said.
After receiving the requests of the detained defendants within the scope of the monthly detention review, the court asked the public prosecutor for his opinion.
The public prosecutor requested that all detained defendants continue in this situation.
The court adjourned the hearing for review.
THE DETENTION OF 51 DEFENDANTS WILL CONTINUE
After the break, the court decided to release the detained defendants Bakırköy Deputy Mayor and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Council Member Ali Rıza Akyüz and advertiser Serkan Öztürk.
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık and former CHP Deputy Aykut Erdoğdu, IMM Mayor Advisor and Media Inc. Chairman of the Board of Directors Murat Ongun, IBB Sports Club President Fatih Keleş and İmamoğlu's lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan, who were suspended from their duties after their arrests, were among them. It was decided that the detention of 51 defendants would continue.
The hearing was postponed to Monday, September 7, to continue taking the defense statements of the defendants who were not detained.
