Turkish gov’t tries to design upcoming elections through judiciary, says Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu

Duvar Englsih

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), on Jan. 28 attended a ceremony for the kicking off of a project of the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (İSKİ) in the Küçükçekmece district.

Speaking at the ceremony, İmamoğlu said the Turkish government “wants to design the upcoming elections through the judiciary,” while commenting on the recent crackdown wave as the CHP-run municipalities have been facing several investigations.

“The tactic of those who try to prevent our services is 'we can't do it, let's prevent those who can.' They keep our projects on hold or don't give permission. They want to take us out of politics by creating lawsuits out of nothing. It is time to send them (from power) with the election,” he said.

“They think they can instill fear in İmamoğlu. No one can intimidate us, no one can stop us,” he added.

Two investigations have been initiated against İmamoğlu within two weeks. 

The first one was initiated last week against him for saying “We will dismantle (this mindset) so that no one can take your children from your house in the morning,” while addressing Istanbul prosecutor Akın Gürlek and criticizing CHP youth branch head Cem Aydın’s detention.

The other was initiated on Jan. 27 against him for announcing that the same expert, Satılmış Büyükcanayakın, has been assigned to politically motivated investigations into opposition CHP-led municipalities in Istanbul, filing expert reports against them in the lawsuits, including Esenyurt and Beşiktaş ones.

İmamoğlu is also facing political ban sentence from other lawsuits. 

CHP’s Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer was arrested four months ago on charges of “being a member of a terrorist organization” and replaced with a trustee by Ankara.

Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat was arrested this month, accused of “bribing” and “manipulating” tender processes.

Ahmet Özer is also included in the investigation into Beşiktaş, in which an arrest warrant was once again issued for him.

The removal and arrest of two Istanbul district mayors from the CHP is regarded as the government’s new crackdown attempts on opposition-led municipalities and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

İmamoğlu is popular figure, regarded as a potential rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The presidential and general elections are scheduled to be held in 2028 in case of no early election.