Erdogan: 'They Are Trying to Turn It Into a Byzantine-Style Power Struggle' Regarding Istanbul Mayor

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned the opposition to refrain from premature conclusions regarding the trial of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and urged them not to interfere in judicial matters, suggesting their involvement is akin to engaging in a 'game of thrones.'

“The recent heated debates are not related to us, personally to me or our nation; they are about the verdict against a specific person who insulted the Central Election Commission, and it is not final. This is an internal political conflict that attempts to be turned into a Byzantine-style power struggle,” Erdogan stated, emphasizing that only the first-instance court's decision has been made so far.

It is important to note that an Istanbul court has sentenced the mayor to 2 years, 7 months, and 15 days in prison for insulting representatives of the Central Election Commission and has prohibited him from engaging in political activity. The mayor is considered Erdogan's main rival in the upcoming 2023 presidential elections.