President Erdogan breaks silence on Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu’s detention

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented for the first time on the investigation into Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s detention and the controversial “diploma revocation” issue, a hot topic in Turkish politics, stating, “The opposition cannot respond to the judiciary on matters such as the diploma issue or corruption.” Erdogan further emphasized that the government has no time to focus on the internal matters of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

Speaking at an iftar (fast-breaking dinner) with MPs, Erdogan addressed the corruption and terrorism investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality for the first time.

Regarding the investigation, he said, “They are aware that most of this information and documentation has been forwarded to the judiciary by their own party members.” He added that these issues are internal matters for the CHP, remarking, “The effort to present the opposition’s internal struggles or legal issues as the country’s most important problem is the height of hypocrisy.”

He also emphasized, “We have no time to waste on the opposition’s spectacles, neither personally, nor as a party, nor as an alliance.”

Additionally, Erdogan stated, “With determined and effective operations, we have cleared our lands of terrorists. Not just terrorists, but also corruption.”

On Wednesday morning, Imamoglu was detained. Alongside Imamoglu, a total of 106 individuals were also targeted in a large-scale operation. The investigations cover various issues, including corruption, terrorism, and the 2013 Gezi Park protests.