“The fear of losing elections is the reason for the cases against me“, former Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said during the court hearing today, “Birgun“ reported, BTA reports.
His statement came in the context of a trial in which he was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for criticizing Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akan Gurlek.
In his pleading, Imamoglu emphasized his election victories and indicated that the current trial was politically motivated:
“I have won elections four times and I pose a threat because of my possible fifth victory. That is why I am here. There is no other reason.“
He assured that he would continue his political struggle in the interest of the people and expressed concern about the state of the country:
“Turkey is in danger - the economy, interest rates, poverty. This case was filed not in the name of law, but because of the personal political interests of one person. The real threat is the poverty of our people.“
In today's hearing, the court acquitted Imamoglu of the charge of “directing messages against people fighting terrorism“, but found him guilty of two other charges:
1 year, 5 months and 15 days for “publicly insulting a civil servant“
2 months and 15 days for “threatening“
The total sentence is 1 year and 8 months in prison, without the imposition of a political ban.
Imamoglu, considered a major opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was detained on March 19 on corruption charges. On March 23, the court extended his detention, and shortly afterwards the Istanbul municipal council removed him from the mayor's post.
His arrest sparked the country's largest protests since 2013. Despite the charges, Imamoglu was nominated as the presidential candidate by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) in the 2028 elections. However, his participation in them is in question after his university degree was revoked in March, which disqualifies him from running.