Dilek İmamoğlu Calls on Judiciary to Defend Justice from Silivri
Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Supporters gathered in Silivri, Turkey, to express solidarity with Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is imprisoned.
- Dilek İmamoğlu, his wife, spoke at the gathering, asserting her husband's innocence and calling on the judiciary to uphold justice.
- The group, Aile Dayanışma Ağı (ADA), is advocating for justice for victims of the "March 19 operation" and emphasizes the broader implications for Turkish democracy.
A gathering of the Family Solidarity Network (ADA) in Silivri, Turkey, brought together supporters to voice their solidarity with Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been imprisoned for over a year. The group, formed by relatives of victims of the "March 19 operation," held its 35th meeting, drawing support from lawmakers, journalists, artists, and citizens.
We have been in a great struggle for a year and a half. We have been here with our heads held high for a year and a half. As the case progresses, our righteousness becomes clearer, and our faith grows.
Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, wife of the imprisoned mayor and a presidential candidate for the CHP, addressed the crowd. She spoke of their year-and-a-half struggle, maintaining their dignity and growing conviction in their cause. "The legal battle we have waged for months is not just for our loved ones and ourselves, but for the future of the Republic of Turkey and our democracy," she stated, emphasizing that recent events undeniably prove this.
Imamoğlu asserted her husband's innocence, declaring, "Ekrem İmamoğlu and his friends are innocent." She criticized a political climate that disregards the will of the people and attempts to shape politics through the judiciary. "We are fighting a mentality that openly erects barriers before the free will of the people, saying you will bow to our will," she said, referring to a recent court decision she deemed legally invalid and procedurally flawed.
Ekrem İmamoğlu and his friends are innocent.
She urged the Court of Cassation to defend justice and protect its independence, calling it a historic duty. İmamoğlu also reflected on the upcoming holiday, noting the pain of celebrating apart from loved ones due to ongoing injustices. She wished her husband, who recently turned 55, a life of honor, sustained by public affection, and expressed hope for a future where he celebrates his birthday freely in a more just Turkey.
We are facing an understanding that does not recognize the will of the nation and tries to shape politics through the judiciary.
The gathering underscored a sense of impending change in Turkey, with İmamoğlu describing it as the "labor pains" of democracy and justice. She expressed unwavering confidence that a bright, just, and equitable Turkish Republic would emerge from this struggle, carrying forward the "torch" ignited by their efforts.
We invite the Court of Cassation to defend justice, protect its independence, and fully fulfill its historical duty.
Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.