Özgür Özel in Trabzon: Launches Petition Campaign for İmamoğlu’s Release and Early Elections

CHP (Republican People’s Party) leader Özgür Özel has announced a nationwide petition campaign calling for the release of his party’s presidential candidate and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The campaign also includes a demand for early elections. Özel stated, “Nearly two million of our members will distribute these petition forms to everyone who loves Ekrem İmamoğlu and this country.”

On the first day of Ramadan Bayram (Eid), Özgür Özel visited Trabzon, İmamoğlu’s hometown in Akçaabat’s Cevizli Village, where he attended Bayram prayers and launched the petition campaign under the banner of “Freedom and Early Elections.” The goal of the campaign is to secure İmamoğlu’s freedom and to call for a brighter future for Turkey.

After İmamoğlu’s arrest, Özgür Özel traveled to Trabzon and celebrated Bayram with İmamoğlu’s family and fellow villagers. The first signature for the campaign was given by 93-year-old Rükiye Köroğlu. Subsequently, Özel and other participants also signed the petition, marking the official start of the campaign. The petition aims to spread the demand for İmamoğlu’s freedom and early elections across Turkey.

Özgür Özel emphasized the following points in his statements:

• Bayram (Eid) is traditionally a time of unity, but this year, it has created a significant division in the country.
• Ekrem İmamoğlu is unjustly held in Silivri Prison due to slander and smear campaigns, he noted.
• The campaign is aimed at gathering support from all citizens who love İmamoğlu.

Each petition form includes 25 signatures. Özel described this petition as one of the largest and most meaningful campaigns in Turkey, with the goal of reaching at least one in two voters across the country to demand İmamoğlu’s freedom and early elections.

The petition’s common message is as follows:
“I am one of millions of patriots whose heart is with democracy and justice. On March 23, in the preliminary election held by the Republican People’s Party, 15.5 million people selected Ekrem İmamoğlu as the presidential candidate. However, Ekrem İmamoğlu has been unlawfully imprisoned. I demand his immediate freedom and the initiation of a fair election process. I want the unjust and unlawful system to end.”

After the campaign launch, Özgür Özel visited a cemetery and celebrated Bayram with the villagers.