Dilek İmamoğlu reacts to 'broken vehicle' excuse: 'Why are you so afraid of Ekrem İmamoğlu physically being in the courtroom?'
Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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In the courts
- Ekrem İmamoğlu's wife, Dilek İmamoğlu, criticized the ongoing trial of her husband, who has been imprisoned for 449 days without concrete evidence.
- She accused authorities of fabricating excuses, like a "broken vehicle," to prevent İmamoğlu from attending his court hearing.
- İmamoğlu asserted that the public's desire for change is unstoppable and that authorities fear İmamoğlu's physical presence in court.
Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, wife of the imprisoned Istanbul Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, has strongly criticized the legal proceedings against her husband, who has been detained for 449 days. Speaking at a gathering of the Family Solidarity Network (ADA), she highlighted the lack of concrete evidence and the prolonged deprivation of liberty for individuals she described as innocent.
People who have committed no crime have been deprived of their freedom for 449 days.
"We count the days because for 449 days we have been separated from our loved ones," Dilek İmamoğlu stated. "People without any concrete evidence, people who have committed no crime, have been deprived of their freedom for 449 days." She emphasized that millions of citizens have been peacefully supporting their elected officials and presidential candidates, demonstrating their will for change without resorting to violence.
You have become afraid even of İmamoğlu appearing in court.
She directly addressed the authorities, accusing them of fearing İmamoğlu's presence in court. "You have become afraid even of İmamoğlu appearing in court," she declared. "Not only are you trying him for the third time in a case where he was acquitted twice, but you are also devising schemes to prevent him from attending the hearing." She specifically mentioned fabricated excuses, such as a "broken vehicle," being used to deny him the right to be present.
What is the reason for your fear of Ekrem İmamoğlu physically being in the courtroom?
İmamoğlu questioned the motive behind this fear, asking, "What is the reason for your fear of Ekrem İmamoğlu physically being in the courtroom? Does this fear blind your conscience; does it cause you to increase harshness and cruelty?" She asserted that the public's desire for change is an unstoppable force and that attempts to obstruct it are doomed to fail, echoing historical precedents. She concluded by stating that the people see injustice and inequality, and their demand for change will ultimately prevail.
The nation sees injustice, lawlessness, inequality. The nation wants change.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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