„I stand tall - I will never bend“, said the mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu, commenting on the decision to keep him under arrest within the framework of the corruption investigation against the Greater Municipality of Istanbul, reported the „Birgün“ newspaper, BTA reported.
„There is no use in fear! Either way, you will be defeated. You will be defeated by our justice, our courage, our humility and our smiling face”, Imamoğlu indirectly addressed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and continued: “Dear people - never be sad, never despair and never lose hope! Together we will remove this black spot - this blow to our democracy. The days are approaching when the people who manage this process will give an account to the Almighty, both in this world and in the hereafter. I call on my 86 million fellow citizens to go to the polls and declare the fight for democracy and justice throughout the world. I stand tall - I will never bend. Everything will be very beautiful...“, says a statement by İmamoğlu, published on his profile on the social network Ex.
İmamoğlu's statement comes against the backdrop of the internal elections of the Republican People's Party (CHP) taking place today to nominate its presidential candidate for the next presidential elections in the country, which are due to be held in 2028. The only candidate for the post is the detained mayor of Istanbul.
İmamoğlu's detention has sparked thousands of protests in many of Turkey's major cities. Yesterday, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul extended the ban on holding rallies, media statements, marches, sit-ins and leaflet distribution, which will be in effect until March 26. A similar ban has also been introduced in Izmir and Ankara, but despite the measures taken by the authorities, protests in the country have not subsided.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the street protests, but today, the Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul District Chairman Özgür Çelik called on party supporters who have already cast their votes in the local elections to head to the Greater Istanbul Municipality in Saraçhane.