Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu in court while Turkish opposition fears the action | News about politics

Ekrem Imamoglu denies allegations that he tried to influence Turkiye’s judiciary in the remarks he presented about officials.

Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem ImamogluThe leading opposition figure and the potential challenger of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared in court to refuse allegations that he tried to influence the judiciary.

Imamglu, 53, appeared on Friday at Caglayan Cagrayan in Istanbul to deal with accusations of threat, insulting and targeting official and attempting to influence the trial.

“I have not dealt with any actions that target any individual. It is impossible to act in this way. I do not accept allegations against me,” he told the plaintiffs.

The charges were filed with criticism of Imamoglu according to legal cases launched by municipalities operated by opposition, including their own Republican National Party (CHP). His testimony related to the remarks he gave about the prosecutor and court expert.

The case against him is the latest in a series of legal challenges faced by opposition politicians in Turkiye, where the groups for the rights have said that the court independence has eroded during Erdogan’s rule of two decades.

Imamglu has already been convicted of accusations of insulting members of the Turkiya Supreme Election Council, faced with a political ban if his conviction in 2022 is complied with appeal. It is also judged on the charges of being involved in the alleged installation of bids in the 2015 tender.

Thousands of his supporters gathered on Friday ahead of the court to protest against legal actions against Imamoglu.

The tensions escalated when the police were blocked by the CHP bus to approach the courtroom. The move led to a conflict between protesters and police, who reacted with tearful. It was not clear if the arrests were carried out.

Later, Imamoglu addressed the crowd from the top of the bus in another place.

“Today’s question is … The question of seeking rights and justice,” the mayor said. “Unfortunately, today’s question comes from a conspiracy that is set against Istanbul.”

The proportional Mayor of Ankara Mansur Yavas, who was there to support Imamoglu, also accused the government of turning Turkiya into a “open prison”.

Turkish authorities regularly target critical journalists, lawyers and elected political representatives with criminal charges, especially since the failed state strike of 2016 against the Erdogan Government.

“The Government is trying to limit the space for opponents, including journalists, and intimidating them with dishonest accusations,” said Festi Kocaer, 71, who was in a crowd outside the court, said AFP news agency. He kept the banner reading, “We’ll fight together.”

“The courage and strong position of Mayor Imamoglu will help us unite. We will not give up, but we will increase the fight against injustice.”

Imamoglu was first chosen to run Istanbul in March 2019. His victory was a blow to the party of Erdogan’s justice and development (AK), who, together with the predecessor of the party, controlled Istanbul a quarter of a century.

The Ak Party pushed to cancel the municipal elections resulting in a city of 16 million people, citing irregularities. The challenge resulted in repeating the choice a few months later, which he also won.

Imamglu was re -elected as mayor of Turkiya last year.

The Turkish authorities have removed numerous selected mayors from the CHP and Pro-Courgeous parties in recent years, saying that they have been related to research related to terrorism.

Emma Sinclair-Webb, Director of Turkiya on Human Rights Watch, said on Friday that the practice of removing the mayor and the appointment of government guardians was a demonic.

“This is a major attack on voters’ rights to choose their selected representatives and violations of the right to free and honest elections,” Sinclair-Webb told Reuters news agency.

“At the time when the Government speaks of the resolution of Kurdish conflicts, it is scary and confusing to see how these prohibition measures continue against democratically elected officials. This practice is flying despite any positive conflict solution,” she added.