The opponent of the President of Turkey who called the members of the Supreme Electoral Council of Turkey – “stupid”, was sentenced to almost three years in prison. The accused Akram did not participate in any hearing, and did not come to hear the verdict, he is expected to appeal the verdict
The Turkish court sentenced the mayor of Istanbul to more than two years in prison and banned him from engaging in politics. The verdict drew condemnation from his supporters who described the verdict as a political motive to repel the former mayor who is gaining momentum and is very popular, and politically threatens President Erdogan.
Akram Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, was sentenced to two years and seven months and 15 days in prison for calling members of Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council “stupid” in a press release three years ago.
The accused Akram did not participate in any hearing, and did not come to hear the sentence, and he is expected to appeal the verdict. The appeal will allow him to remain in office for the time being, but he will have to deal with hearings in the Supreme Court for the next year and a half, while the country is heading for general elections, the conviction will damage the election campaign he planned.
“The will of 16 million Istanbulites is on trial,” the mayor’s office announced shortly before Imamoglu’s sentencing. “They want to deprive the mayor of Istanbul of his political rights.” Afterwards, Imamoglu addressed the supporters gathered in front of the city hall. “This decision is a shame for the Turkish justice system,” he said. “This is the most solid expression of the fact that the judicial system has become an instrument for punishing opponents. This is proof that the rulers of this country have no goal of bringing justice and democracy to the country.”
He added: “We will not give in to this corruption. Games of this type will not bother me – I will not despair and I will not give up.” One of his supporters told the local media: “This is an injustice and we want justice. I regret this decision, but I think it can give him a boost in politics.”