Ruling AK Party comments on Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu’s detention

The first official comments from Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) regarding the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu were made on Thursday. Party spokesperson Omer Celik stated, “We have no information about the case; what politicians should do is follow the judicial process.”

As part of the investigation into corruption and terrorism involving the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), a total of 87 people, including Imamoglu, were detained.

AK Party spokesperson Omer Celik’s key remarks

In a live broadcast, AK Party spokesperson Omer Celik emphasized the importance of respecting the judicial process and refrained from making any assessments.

His comments included the following highlights: “Politicians should follow the judicial processes. None of us has the legitimacy to make any evaluations regarding the judicial process. However, Mr. Ozgur Ozel (main opposition leader of the Republican People’s Party – CHP) claims that this is a coup attempt against the CHP, initiated by our president and our party.

Where does politics stop, and on what principles should the opposition shape its stance? It has become evident that the CHP lacks the ability to learn from this. From the perspective of the CHP, our name is written alongside democracy, while the opposite of democracy, a coup, would be written alongside them.”

Celik continued, saying, “Our president’s political struggle has brought about democratic results despite the obstacles and attempts at intervention from the CHP. Mr. Ozgur Ozel equating this judicial process with the July 15th coup attempt is a clear sign of political ignorance. Our nation has shown this political organization, which believes it owns the state and the people’s will, its place in every election and democratic contest.

Equating the July 15th terrorist coup attempt with judicial processes has entered our political history as a case of political recklessness. Mr. Ozgur Ozel accuses us of trying to design politics through legal means. We know very well where politics should stop. While we meet our nation in the streets, the CHP has been engaged in dark corridors, trying to manipulate the people’s will through underground political schemes.”

‘Ozel thinks he has decided on the general election’

Referring to the ongoing discussions within the CHP, Celik concluded, “Instead of attacking us, Mr. Ozgur Ozel should state what he thinks about these allegations. Can Mr. Ozel say ‘I believe these allegations are untrue’?

If these claims are proven true, would he resign from the leadership of the CHP? Mr. Ozgur Ozel is confusing the internal processes of the CHP with national processes. He thinks the official election process of Türkiye is somehow decided by him.”