Main opposition leader expects appeals court to uphold political ban on İmamoğlu

Turkey’s main opposition CHP’s leader Özgür Özel said during an interview that he expects the appeal court to impose a political ban on Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in the ongoing trial process.

Thursday October 03 2024 03:31 am

Duvar English

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Özgür Özel stated that the appeals court would uphold the political ban decision against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, during an interview with television channel TV 100.

A Turkish court in December 2023 sentenced Mayor İmamoğlu to two years and seven months in prison and imposed a political ban. He was accused of "insulting" members of Turkey's election board during a speech in November 2019.

The case has been investigated by an appeals court since then.

When asked about their course of action if the political ban decision is upheld, Özel responded, "We have a roadmap. Meetings have been held, and we met with Mr. İmamoğlu a few times. We discussed what we would do step by step, day by day, in case this happens, and there is a general agreement. However, it wouldn't be appropriate to reveal this plan just yet."

As İmamoğlu became a popular figure to be the opposition’s presidential candidate, a possible political ban and several other investigations against him attracted a public outcry.

"We should not normalize this punishment. It shouldn't feel like the decision has already been made and we're just waiting for it to be announced. Such a decision should not be made. If it is, there’s still the appeal process at the Court of Cassation," Özel said.

The Court of Cassation is the highest appeals court in Turkey.

Özel stated that there has been an attempt to keep CHP involved in a controversy, and added that he believes the political ban decision will be upheld at the appeals court but overturned by the Court of Cassation.

"There is a mindset trying to keep us in the debate of 'Will Ekrem İmamoğlu face a political ban, can he be a presidential candidate, and if not, who will it be?' Let’s not fall into this trap," he noted.

Özel also denied the allegations that İmamoğlu would be announced as a presidential candidate early due to the lawsuit.