Standing here today, I cannot help but recall the 10 or 15 times I came to this campus in the past to observe the fabricated Ergenekon and Balyoz show trials. I personally witnessed how those who were wrongfully accused and their families were thrown into despair, stripped of hope, and in some tragic cases, even lost their lives.

Although I had no administrative duty at the time, my political conscience drove me here again and again. As a businessman then, I came with a sense of responsibility: to look into the eyes of those people, and understand how these trials were being conducted, to see whether conscience, reason, understanding, tolerance, and justice were truly being upheld in this country. I learned many lessons. Regretfully, I must say that these courtrooms have witnessed some of the darkest, most unjust chapters in the judicial history of our country, moments that left behind no honour in the name of justice.

I expressed my hope that, on behalf of the Turkish nation, the high judiciary of this country would reach sound decisions based on justice and truth. Our society holds a deep belief in the principle that ‘the religion of the state is justice.’ Likewise, the wisdom of the state is rooted in the saying, ‘Let man live so that the state may live.’ It is with this understanding and spirit that I stand before you today.

You sit here with the responsibility of passing judgment on behalf of the Turkish judiciary. And I stand here as the elected mayor of one of the world’s oldest cities, the mayor of Istanbul: a city respected globally, capital of three empires, and the crown jewel of our republic. I am here not because of any legitimate reason, but because of fabricated, baseless, and slanderous accusations. Accusations that have deeply disappointed our people, shaken their trust, destroyed their hopes, and even damaged the country’s economy. We are in a moment that is pushing society into a state of hopelessness.

I inevitably ask myself the question: ‘Why am I here?’

Why am I standing before this court? Why am I being asked to defend myself against these accusations? I am here because I won three elections in a city that some believe belongs to them alone, referred to as ‘My beloved Istanbul’ by one individual, as though it were personal property. I am here because I returned this city to its rightful owners: the people. I am here because I led a democratic movement that will be recorded in history in golden letters: a victory that reaffirmed the principle that ‘sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation’ in the face of endless obstacles. I am here because I showed that, despite all interference, the will of the people prevails. I am here because I stand as a symbol of that strong collective will, a will that has challenged the mindset that says ‘whoever wins Istanbul, wins Türkiye.’ That is why I find myself in Silivri today.

I AM HERE BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN EMBRACED AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BY 86 MILLION PEOPLE

And here I am, in this courtroom in Silivri, presenting my responses to the charges in this case. At the same time, I stand here as someone who has won the hearts of 86 million people and who, in the next election, will stand before them as a presidential candidate. This is why I am here, speaking today in Silivri, in this campus, before you.

But this sentiment goes far beyond just the term or title of 'presidential candidate.' In fact, in the history of not only Türkiye but the world, there has never been a pre-election in which 15.5 million people participated—a true celebration of democracy. From the furthest east to the farthest west, from the southernmost point to the northernmost, people, smiling warmly and filled with goodwill, conveyed their support and trust in me. Even children, young enough to be babies, expressed their affection with their innocent drawings. This democratic celebration, where 15.5 million people cast their votes, is what earned me the identity of a 'presidential candidate' and brought me here today.

Of course, to be tried in the environment created by the political climate in Türkiye, to be judged here in Silivri Campus, is certainly saddening. However, I want all of you to know that, for me, standing before my nation and speaking with clarity brings a profound sense of ease and comfort.

Honourable Judge, esteemed members of the court,

Having answered the question, 'Why am I here?' I must now address another: 'Who am I? Why have I been placed at the center of so much attention and targeted to this extent?' The answer to this, actually is very clear…

From the moment I became the Mayor of Istanbul, I stood against 'the canal', lies, exploitation, corruption, and unjust gain, as well as everything that worked against the interests of the people. That is why I am here today.

And because I have always defended this without ever giving up, I am here today. At the same time: babies, children, daycare, dormitories, scholarships, youth, university students, unemployed young people, creating jobs for the youth, women, mothers, and the ‘Mother Card.’ Imagine this: I am the Mayor who put a card in the hands of millions of mothers, allowing them to travel across Istanbul for free with their children aged 0-4. What an incredible honour. And by saying, ‘Goodness is contagious,’ I have contributed in spreading this notion across Türkiye. Think about this: I am someone who brought to life an Istanbul where, despite the difficult circumstances we face today, tens of millions of people can enjoy three meals a day for 40 lira, a vision of goodness that has now begun to spread nationwide across Türkiye.

"Is it just the City Restaurants or public daycare centres? No. It is also about breaking historical records in metro construction, giving Istanbul’s most beautiful green spaces back to its people, creating equal opportunities for its citizens, children, and infants alike, removing partisanship and rooting out that disgusting sentiment from institutions, and bringing in merit as a core principle within these organizations. It is about mobilizing every resource at hand, along with prudent savings, to offer people a brighter future. That’s why I am here today.

Because the true force at play here —the mindset that influences and exerts pressure, is sadly the manifestation and outcome of the idea that ‘Whoever wins Istanbul, wins Türkiye,’ or, ‘Whoever loses Istanbul, loses Türkiye.’

In this hall, which has borne witness to the difficult moments of Türkiye and its judiciary, I stand before you today to testify. However, this situation will not last much longer. Türkiye has faced countless trials and emerged stronger every time. We are a nation where the people’s will always overcomes. Thankfully. Even in the toughest of times, when just a few heroes have stepped forward, the nation has united behind them, and independence has been achieved on this soil.

That is why, in this country, on these lands, the will of the nation prevails, not the desires of a small few. The nation is great, and no one should have even the slightest doubt about its greatness. I certainly do not. As for those who do, I am baffled by their mindset.

Just think about it: Ekrem İmamoğlu is taken into custody. Ekrem İmamoğlu is held in a detention cell for five days. Keeping Ekrem İmamoğlu in detention for five days, what a significant act! An investigation is launched, a trial is conducted, and a decision is made to send him to Silivri. But who is Ekrem İmamoğlu? Ekrem İmamoğlu is someone who, since childhood, has walked barefoot, roamed the fields, meadows, mountains, and forests, experienced all walks of life, and came from a small village of 40 households. He is someone who, just like you, has benefited from the blessings of the Republic, who has reached one of the most esteemed positions in Türkiye, who deeply understands the value of these lands and the sanctity of serving their people. He grew up with the moral values of knowing that serving the people is serving God, always striving not to betray his family, the land of his birth, Trabzon, the city he lives in, Istanbul, and this nation. This is someone whose prayers have always been never to let down those who entrusted him.

Thus, this reasoning of keeping us in detention, followed by the cruelty and hardship of staging what feels like a police raid when we would willingly go to if called, stationing hundreds of police officers at the door of one’s home… What kind of tradition is this? What kind of logic is this? Can the esteemed Turkish judiciary remain sustainable under such a mindset? Is that even possible? Who would want to experience this? Who deserves to be subjected to such treatment?

Even the worst criminal should not be subjected to such treatment. And if there is merely a suspicion or an unproven allegation of a crime, such actions are absolutely unacceptable. So, with all honesty, who benefits from such practices, such attitudes, for the present or the future of our country? Who makes these decisions? Who puts these decisions into effect? What driving force is pushing for this? This is the issue I am committed to pursuing, and I will never give up on it. The question of ‘What could have been done about these circumstances?’, ‘Could they have been improved?’ Yes, they absolutely could have been improved.

For instance, TRT (Turkish National Broadcaster) could have broadcast this trial in a proper manner, especially given the taxes paid to TRT, often cursed and referred to as 'wasted' in people’s prayers... Thankfully, I don’t watch television, as my wife here can confirm as well, we haven’t watched TV at home for almost 20 years. But now, in my cell, I see TRT. Trying to smear Ekrem İmamoğlu’s dignity, honour, his wife, his family...

Can a state channel like TRT produce news full of lies, slander, and smear campaigns aimed at discrediting, tarnishing, and demeaning someone? Is this what TRT has come to?

When I was a child, around 6 or 7 years old, an uncle of mine, visiting us from abroad, brought a TV into our house. I grew up spending hours just staring at the opening screen of TRT, before it even started broadcasting... I was the child who would stand in front of the TV and recite the National Anthem along with TRT as the broadcast ended for the day. Isn’t it a shame? Isn’t it a disgrace to see what TRT has become today?

Isn’t Anadolu Agency being squandered? An institution founded during the War of Independence to uphold the people's right to information has now been reduced to a tool for maintaining the political will and authority of a select few in this country...

Can this be allowed to continue? TRT should come and at least broadcast a fraction of our words, our trials, to the noble Turkish people. It’s disgraceful. It’s sinful. It’s an insult to the conscience of the nation. You are undermining the very foundations of our people’s moral compass.

So here and now, I call upon the high judiciary of Türkiye: If TRT didn’t broadcast today’s hearing, then let them air the next one, or any future moment in which I stand to defend justice and democracy in this courtroom. Because if they do, it will serve not just transparency, but the future of our country.

Honorable Judge and esteemed members,

Allow me to say this in your presence: You mentioned an accusation against me. Of course, allow me to elaborate: On January 20, I was at a panel in Kadıköy, in a hall, together with our Party Chairman.On January 20, I was at a panel with our Party Chairman in a hall in Kadıköy. We were there to speak, beginning the day with the hope of a good start. But, before the sun had even risen that morning, the home of a young individual, the General Chair of our Youth Branches, was raided in a manner that violates the Constitution and the law. This Chair is someone I’ve known since elementary school, whose family I know, someone I see as one of my own children. I see every young person as my child. That’s how I look at it. Every child in Istanbul is like my own. That is why I opened dormitories for 6,000 university students for a cost ten times lower than usual. That is why I provide scholarships to 100,000 young people every year. That is why, because I see every young person as my own child, I brought public nurseries to this city where 13,000–14,000 children study, half of them free of charge. Our goal is to raise this number to 150 nurseries.

This is why I regard children and young people as though they are my own.

For this reason, I condemn the oppression faced by detained university students, whom I regard as my own children. This is not right. Don’t do this to young people. Free the rest as well.

Release them. It’s a shame, a sin, and a betrayal of our future. No young person deserves to be treated this way—neither for speaking up nor for exercising their right to self-expression.

I will always stand against injustice. I will stand beside anyone who has been wronged, anyone subjected to unjust or unlawful treatment. I will never waver from this path. Nothing will deter me. No force can stop me. I fear only the Creator. I only seek refuge in the Almighty. Also, in my people. Because for me, what matters above all is the will of the people.

In this context, with these emotions, if you summon our young brother (to give a statement) today, he will come. Has anyone ever been summoned and not gone, for heaven’s sake? You summon them, and they come. But instead, you pile officers at their door, take them as if arresting them, and bring them in. Then you make them wait long hours to give their statement. What kind of oppression is this? Is this how you treat the children of this nation?

And when this happens, does it hurt me? Yes, it does. Has it broken my heart? It has, just as it breaks today. Yes, I expressed my feelings about this during that panel. So, what did I say? “Look, Prosecutor, I’m telling you this: We, even though we can’t help you because your mind is corrupted, even your children, we will save them from such treatment. To free them from this kind of injustice, we will uproot from the minds of this nation the mentality that governs you. So that no one shows up at the doors of your children. So that no one takes your children from your home at the crack of dawn. We will rid this country of the paths, methods, and ways shaped by your character, your mind, and your thinking. So that even your family, your children, and your home enjoy peace and a secure future. That is our goal.”

What part of this is a threat? What part of this is an insult?

If I did not feel responsible for the future of your children, for all the children of this country, would 16 million people have elected me as their Mayor? Would 16 million people, before even an official election was called, rush to vote in a primary and declare, “Ekrem İmamoğlu should be our presidential candidate”? They do, because I carry that responsibility.

Whether you like it or not, whether you love me or not, I love your children, brothers and sisters. Whether you're a chief prosecutor, a judge, or a president, it doesn’t matter who you are, I love everyone’s children and grandchildren.

I want this country to have a bright future. I will not give up on this. No one’s frown, no one’s harsh words, no one’s decisions, whether positive or negative, will affect me.

Got it! Here's the revised translation:

I don’t care, I won't care. When we set out on this journey 6-6.5 years ago, we did so after making amends. We are aware of the challenges involved in every task. The Turkish nation understands what making amends means. In this context, we began our journey by making amends.

Now, I made this speech. What happened right after that, for heaven’s sake? I sat next to the Chairman of the party. His first words were: 'I congratulate you, Mr. Mayor, on how humane an act that was.' I sat down; the applause had not even ended yet. Barely a minute or two passed before one of the officials there approached, showing us on their phone: 'Breaking News: An investigation has been launched against İmamoğlu.' They showed us the investigation on the screen. Not even a minute passed!

So I ask you, trusting in your conscience, your sense of justice, and the Supreme Turkish justice:

Was the prosecutor who initiated the investigation watching Ekrem İmamoğlu’s speech purely by coincidence? Or were they following orders to monitor his speeches and take immediate action at the slightest opportunity?

Secondly, it’s clear that the prosecutor who initiated the investigation must have listened to this speech live as it happened, as there’s no other explanation. What system did they use to listen? I have no idea; I’m not a tech expert. Did they rewind it right away? Did they listen again? A second time, perhaps? If not, and they claim, 'I made an immediate decision after hearing it, let’s open the investigation,' is this even a legitimate practice for a prosecutor in the Supreme Turkish judiciary? Is this acceptable? Is this proper? I’m posing this question as well.

Thirdly, if they didn’t hear it live – and this is in the case file – did someone send a screenshot from WhatsApp quoting a website saying, 'There’s such news, launch an investigation immediately'? If that happened, the cut-off phrases in that screenshot have no relation to what I actually said. Was this checked? Was this verified? Could this have been possible in those few minutes? How was this investigation launched exactly?

And once again, within seconds, the prosecutor’s office that opened this investigation said, 'Alright, let’s publish this right away,' and ensured that it was aired as 'breaking news' on that channel which tarnishes the first letter of a certain alphabet. How is this possible?"

And again, in the blink of an eye, the prosecutor’s office that hastily launched this investigation said, 'Let’s release this immediately,' ensuring it was presented as 'breaking news' on that notorious channel, which has turned the first letter of a certain alphabet into an utter shame.

How can it possibly be meaningful —under the name of service, justice, or the Supreme Turkish judiciary, to broadcast something like this on a channel that tarnishes the first letter of our beautiful twenty-nine-letter alphabet? Is this justice? Is it right? Does it bring any benefit to justice? Frankly, I have no idea, Your Honor.

I really don’t know. Can it? When we organize committees, if anyone leaks a piece of information through messages, we’d, excuse my language, kick them out immediately. Is such behavior acceptable? Sending something off in an instant like that? Take a breath, please. If there’s something being contemplated about Ekrem İmamoğlu, give the man a moment to breathe as well. What kind of decision is this, and what kind of announcement is this?

For this reason, I feel compelled to ask these four questions, not on my own behalf, but for the honour of the Supreme Turkish judiciary and for the proper operation of this judicial process.


I could say so much, there’s so much to be said. But as someone entrusted with adding hope to the hopes of this country, as someone responsible for inspiring confidence in this nation, I’m not here to say too much. I’m here to speak the truth. And in this short time, I feel it’s my duty to help you grasp these truths as clearly as possible.

Now, imagine this: A young person goes to university at the age of 17, and 35 years later, their diploma is revoked. Just think about that: Revoked after 35 years! And not just that, annotations are placed on their property, their family’s 75 years of hard work is confiscated. Look at these efforts, can you believe the lengths being taken here?

How, I ask, can this nation feel secure? Who will people trust? Who will they feel they can lean on? Smashing doors open in front of young children and babies... who does this benefit? Who gains anything from this?

I ask this question to the Supreme Turkish judiciary: Who benefits? If someone can step forward and explain, if someone says, 'Here is the benefit,' then I’ll stand by it. I’ll say, 'Yes, I support this.' But I ask you, can such a thing ever be right?"

My 30-year friends, 25-year friends, 40-year friends. People I partnered with 20 years ago, people I worked with 15 years ago... Dragging them to court and forcing them to search for a bad word about Ekrem, for heaven’s sake, who does this benefit? And if they don’t say anything bad, throwing them in jail, who does that benefit? A person I haven’t seen in 12 or 13 years, pressuring them, not getting anything out of them, and throwing them in jail. Who does that benefit?

Neighbours from Beylikdüzü, people I’ve worked side by side with. Calling them in to give statements, telling them: 'Don’t bring your lawyer, come on, we’ll have a little chat.' Who does this serve?

These are their own words, their own testimonies. I am not making anything up. I don’t rely on rumors. If I were to indulge in rumors, I could talk until morning—what stories I could tell. But everything about me is out in the open.

I am someone who made a promise of transparency to the people. My life has always been transparent, and it will remain so. My fight will also be transparent. That is why, for anyone who acts unjustly or unlawfully, I will stand against them before the judiciary—for as long as I live. For a lifetime, Your Honor. For a lifetime.

Without even delivering notice, whose idea is it to show up at the summer home of my mother and father? Whose idea is it to show up at my father’s door? You break down his door, you can’t open it, so you call a locksmith to force it open... whose idea is this? If you had just called my father, if someone told him, 'The judiciary is looking for me,' he would have gone to the summer home within three hours and opened the door himself for the gendarmerie.

Involving our beloved gendarmerie and our dear police force in such wrongful acts... whose idea is this? What are you trying to achieve? What is this? What crime are you even talking about? This kind of approach is unacceptable.

Your Honor,

This is shameful, it’s sinful. Shame on those who are endangering the future of this nation. Shame on those jeopardizing the futures of 300 young people. Your Honor, Prosecutor, dear members of the court; every one of you has children, has families, has parents. That is why I know, and I want to believe, that you are here to make decisions for the good of this country and its people.

Now, you say I have 'threatened' someone. Who did I threaten? Where is the threat in this? I am saying, 'I will be the guarantee of your children’s future.' I am saying, 'I will be the guarantee of your future.' And I will be—you will see.
With the will and support of this nation, I will be the guarantee of this nation’s future. I make this oath here today. Without leaving a single one of this nation’s children behind, without looking at their ethnicity, their way of life, their clothing, or their family’s history, I will deliver a system that guarantees every single one of them. My friends and I will bring the revolution of justice and the revolution of democracy to these lands. I make this oath here today. I promise this before my nation and before justice itself.

Threats? Don’t be ridiculous. What threat? Who have I threatened? Let me tell you something. I have never even been in a fight in my life. I have never hit anyone, and I have never been hit. And let me add, no one would ever hit me, nor could they. I have never laid a hand on anyone. People ask me, 'How did you manage that?' Even my own father asks me, 'How did you manage that?' And I tell him, 'That is just the way I am. That is who I am.' I bring people together. That is what I do. Do not worry about that.

So, talk of threats or grudges has no place in my life. It never has. If you like, go ahead and ask the kids from my village, my childhood friends. Let the prosecutor authorize it, ask my childhood friends from the village. Let them tell you, 'Was Ekrem someone who fought, or was he the one who brought us together, made peace, and organized football matches?' Because talk of threats, grudges, resentment, holding on to hate, and having ill thoughts about someone are things I do not carry. I do not even feel jealousy. I am that confident. I do not envy others.

Apparently, someone in Ankara is jealous of me... So what? I do not envy anyone. But let me tell you what I do envy, my friend. I envy those nations that use their power to oppress my people, disregard their sovereignty with their economy or authority, and threaten their existence in this geography. I envy them on behalf of my people. I am determined to surpass them. That determination is in my soul, and my people will see it.

And now they are accusing me of committing a crime of 'threat.' Seriously? At what point did they read or listen to my words to accuse me of making threats? 'Public insult to a government official', they say. Where is the insult in this, for heaven’s sake? This is freedom of expression. At the same time, I am sharing my opinion and criticism. To whom? To the person who manages the system, makes the decisions, and starts the processes. Who else would I address my criticism to? Should I speak to some random nobody? Should I sit and talk to a trash can? This is their job. He was a deputy minister, now he is the Chief Prosecutor. What he becomes tomorrow is none of my concern. But this is his job, his area of responsibility.

Who else would I criticize about everything happening there? Besides, I have been the one trying to reach him for weeks, saying, 'Let’s meet, I have thoughts on Istanbul to share.' If he gives me an appointment, we will still meet. No problem. But he has not. I am not one to speculate, but do you know what comes to my mind? I wonder why he has not given me an appointment for weeks. I truly do. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality is the institution that provides the most services to the judiciary. Vehicles, equipment, cleaning, maintenance... everything. We handle it all. And we have not withdrawn a single ounce of our support. How could we?

The nation's institutions serve the nation's institutions. Am I someone who would waste time dwelling on personal grudges? That is why I ask you to listen to me carefully and understand me well. What insult? I expressed my criticism through my freedom of speech. And while expressing my criticism, I made it clear that I am determined to guarantee his protection, even alongside his family, in the future.

Accusations like inciting others 'against individuals involved in counter-terrorism efforts', and so on. Enough already! Ekrem and terrorism? The person who tries to associate me with terrorism, I would confront them face to face. That’s how clear I am. Face to face! Terrorism and Ekrem? Let the person who says that take a good look in the mirror!
I am a son of this homeland. Do you know what someone sees when they look at me? They see the Republic of Türkiye. They see the Turkish flag. They see Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

I am that kind of person. Let no one confuse me with someone else... They say they will associate me with terrorism... Ekrem İmamoğlu and terrorism? They should know their place.

'There are five hundred, six hundred terrorists,' they said. What happened? The so-called 'terrorists' were the appointed governor before me, the trustee, or I don’t know who before me. After they were taken in, but suddenly the case was closed. And then, what did that person say? 'I said it for political reasons,' they said. Can you smear the people with terrorism for political reasons? In this country, there is a martyr or a veteran in every household. What kind of morality is this? What kind of perspective is this? 'Is there something about Ekrem? Just add terrorism to it as well. You never know, it might come in handy...' I strongly reject this approach, Your Honor. I strongly reject it.

Whoever wrote this must have had other intentions in mind. I do not believe in this indictment. It was written with ill intent.

To associate Ekrem İmamoğlu with terrorism is a product of ill intent. And I say this clearly to Your Honour and to all members of the court: It is shameful, it is disgraceful, it is sinful! To put Ekrem and terrorism side by side... Get out of here with that!

My stance on these three accusations is crystal clear. I entrust myself, of course, to the Supreme Turkish judiciary. However, I see that this process is not meaningful, that it is not a proper investigation, that it is a poorly prepared case. I see that it was turned into an investigation in a matter of seconds, without even thoroughly reviewing the statements. I do not want to believe that it was written with bad intentions. But I will certainly scrutinize and follow through on what kind of intent lies behind it. In this sense, I do not accept any of these three accusations. Yes, I criticize. I would express the same criticisms again. And I say this as someone who is determined to bring the revolution of democracy and the revolution of justice to these lands in the future. As someone who defends the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the sovereignty of the people’s will.

Yes, no matter who does this injustice to me, I will still be the guarantee of a beautiful life even for their children.