Ekrem İmamoğlu defense book banned in Turkey

A criminal judge has issued a decision to ban the printing and distribution of the book ‘Millet Şahidimdir’ (The Nation is My Witness), which contains the court defense of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

The judge cited that the book contains expressions deemed ‘insulting and disparaging toward the President, the Judiciary, the Government of the Republic of Türkiye, and public officials.’ The ruling further claims that such content could increase social polarization and create an environment conducive to disturbing public order.

Legal critics argue that the decision lacks evidence of an ‘immediate and clear danger’ required for such a ban and note that the ruling deviates from established standards set by the European Court of Human Rights and the Constitutional Court.