Following the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a delegation from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) paid a visit to the municipality.

Tülay Hatimoğulları made a statement at the municipality alongside Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairperson Özgür Özel.

Hatimoğulları said: "On Wednesday morning, we woke up to news that deeply affected and saddened the entire country. We learned that Ekrem Imamoğlu was among 106 people who had been detained."

Hatimoğulları added: "We consider this a coup against the will of the people, particularly against the fundamental right to vote and be elected.” She added: “It is absolutely unacceptable. Resorting to trustee policies, a regime of appointed administrators, detentions, arrests, and the revocation of diplomas as a means to eliminate political opponents is something we will never accept.

At a time when we are discussing social peace, we see this as a sabotage against both social peace and the establishment of democracy in this country. We will never accept this—now or in the future."

Hatimoğulları said that without democracy and justice, it is impossible to speak of social peace. She continued: "Once again, we repeat our call: Everyone must act rationally. We will never accept the mentality that has driven Turkey into economic and political collapse, that has eradicated human rights, that has stripped away the right to vote and be elected, and that wields the judiciary like a sword over citizens and politicians. We categorically reject this authoritarian approach that undermines the will of the people through judicial means."

Tülay Hatimoğulları called for the immediate release of Ekrem İmamoğlu and all those detained. She added: "Justice must prevail. Justice and rights must be upheld. Ekrem İmamoğlu and all those detained must be released immediately. This would, at the very least, bring some relief to the collective conscience of Turkey's 85 million citizens. That is why we expect such an outcome. Once again, I thank the Republican People’s Party for their reception today. Everyone should know that we will stand in full solidarity with the people against these undemocratic and unlawful practices. We will stand together for democracy, we will stand together for peace. Once again, I extend my best wishes to the CHP, all the people of Istanbul, and the entire country. I want to emphasize once more that we are hoping for good news."