The decision of the Anatolian 7th Criminal Court of First Instance to be sentenced to 2 years, 7 months and 15 days in prison and a political ban against Istanbul Metropolitian Municipality (İBB) President İmamoğlu on the grounds that he insulted the members of the YSK had received reactions from political parties and lawyers. After the decision, representatives of the Nation’s Alliance addressed the people of Istanbul in Saraçhane yesterday. Representatives of the Nation Alliance met with Istanbulites after Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was sentenced to 2 years, 7 months and 15 days in prison for insulting YSK members and was sentenced to a political ban. The program in Saraçhane was attended by Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Good (IYI) Party Chairwoman Meral Akşener, Saadet Party Deputy Chairman Prof. Dr. Sabri Tekir, Democracy and Progress (Deva) Party Chairman Ali Babacan, Future (Gelecek) Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu and Democrat Party Chairman Gültekin Uysal as well as thousands of citizens attended.
“THIS CASE IS COUNTRY CASE”
At the rally held in Istanbul Saraçhane Square, İBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu first appeared on the stage. In his speech, İmamoğlu said, “Because this case is not the Ekrem İmamoğlu case... Because this case is not a party case... This case is a country case... This case is a case of justice... This case is a case of equality... Because we see this case as a case of leaving a strong and democratic Turkey to our children... Believe me, 2023 will be very beautiful. Not just for me, for you or for him. It will be very good for all of us, for each of our citizens living in this country. Not me, you or him, everyone will win. Everyone will win and everything will be fine. Everything will be fine…”
“SIX MONTHS LEFT AHEAD”
Addressing the participants, CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said, “The decision made about İBB President İmamoğlu is unacceptable, the conscience of the society has been injured. The conscience of society is bleeding. The decision made about Ekrem president will not make us take a single step back. We will be behind the president Ekrem.” Kılıçdaroğlu, continued his words, “Dear Istanbulites. Never put your head forward don't bend. We have six months left. We are coming. Shout out too. Power, power, power… We come to be power. We will be in power,” he added.
“TURKEY IS BIGGER THAN ONE”
Speaking at the rally, DEVA Party leader Babacan said, “Yesterday's oppressed Mr. Erdogan starts to oppress and oppress others when he rises to the top. I hope we will give our answer together on the day of the ballot box. The numbered days pass quickly. Here, we are against the tyranny in turns in this country. We want justice. This nation is a nation that has buried in the dusty pages of history those who aimed at democracy with guns, cannons and rifles on May 24, September 12 and February 28. This nation is a nation that buried those who persecuted Nazim Hikmets, Ahmet Kayas, Necip Fazils and Halide Edips into the dusty pages of history. Believe me, this nation will give the best answer in the first election to those who ignore their own will with their judicial games. 85 million is bigger than one, Turkey is bigger than one.
“THE NATIONAL WILL CANNOT BE OPPRESSED”
Democratic Party President Gültekin Uysal also said in his speech, “The national will cannot be blocked. People have torn down that wall. And today, with this endless grudge and hatred, they gave Ekrem İmamoğlu this punishment yesterday. But they should know that this decision has no effect on the conscience of the nation.” Speaking after Uysal, Future Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu appeared before the nation. Addressing the participants, Davutoğlu said, “Our citizens who are worried about the future, we set out for a new Turkey. Our goal is to build a country where no one is accused of being a 'terrorist' while bringing up their ideas and thoughts. The Six Opposition Parties’ table is the table of the people of Turkey.”
“WE GATHERED AGAINST INJUSTICE”
IYI Party leader Meral Akşener, who took the stage, gave a scarf to İBB President İmamoğlu and told her story. Akşener said: “First of all, my dear nation, dear Istanbulites, our hearts and minds young people… We have gathered here today against a great injustice. As I was leaving here yesterday, a girl named Kıymet Doğan, she gave me a scarf and said you will give it to Ekrem İmamoğlu. This scarf is the scarf of justice.”
“JUSTICE IS FOR EVERYONE”
Sabri Tekir, Deputy Chairman of the Saadet Party, addressed the citizens who came together in Saraçhane. Noting that he came to the arena to represent the Saadet Party leader Karamollaoğlu, Tekir said, “Dear Istanbulites gathered here to leave their mark on history again! I am here to convey the greetings and love of our Saadet Party and Mr. Karamollaoğlu. Our President is not here due to a minor health problem. The public conscience did not accept the decision made about our IBB President. This decision is a political decision. Those who use the justice mechanism for personal and political calculations will definitely lose. Justice is for all. We will try to establish the Turkey of tomorrow, hand in hand and heart to heart.”
Sabri Tekir, Deputy Chairman of the Saadet Party: “This decision is a political one. Those who use the justice mechanism for personal and political calculations will surely lose. Justice is for all.”
Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu: “This case is not the Ekrem İmamoğlu case, this case is not a party case; This case is the country case, this case is the justice case, this case is the equality case.”
CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu: “The decision made about İBB President İmamoğlu is unacceptable, the conscience of the society has been injured.”
DEVA Party leader Ali Babacan: “Yesterday's oppressed Mr. Erdogan starts to oppress and suppress others when he comes to the top. I hope we will give our answer together on the day of the ballot box.”
Democrat Party Chairman Gültekin Uysal: “The national will cannot be blocked. The nation has torn down that wall.”
IYI Party Chairwoman Meral Akşener: “As we were leaving here yesterday, a girl named Kıymet Doğan gave me a scarf and said, 'You will give it to Ekrem İmamoğlu'. This scarf is the scarf of justice.”
Future Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu: “Our citizens who are worried about the future, we set out for a new Turkey. The Six Opposition Parties’ table is the table of Turkey, of the people.”