The paths of Ekrem İmamoğlu and Mehmet Murat Çalık first crossed in 2014. İmamoğlu had just been elected mayor of Beylikdüzü. Çalık began working with him as deputy mayor. In 2019, when İmamoğlu became Mayor of Istanbul, Çalık was elected mayor of Beylikdüzü in the same elections.
MANY SIMILARITIES
From 2019 until his arrest in March as part of the İmamoğlu investigation, Çalık maintained a low-profile, work-focused approach to leadership. He continued the projects they had started together in Beylikdüzü. During the pandemic and after, he prioritized social assistance and solidarity programs, especially for children. Both men are from Trabzon. Even their manner of speaking—word choice, tone, and phrasing—is strikingly similar. If you heard Çalık's voice without seeing his face, you might think you were listening to İmamoğlu.
However, they differ when it comes to political inclination. While İmamoğlu follows a more overtly political path, Çalık presents a more non-political image. Though always loyal to the team spirit, he speaks less and focuses more on serving the people of the district. Because of these traits, long before the investigations even began, Çalık’s name had come up as a possible successor to İmamoğlu as mayor in case of an early presidential election.
NEVER DISCLOSED HIS ILLNESS
It only came to light that Çalık had undergone treatment for leukemia after he experienced significant weight loss in prison. His illness was known only to his family and close circle. He had kept it private to avoid burdening the public. It was around this time that he was transferred to Izmir’s Buca Prison without any information given to his family or lawyer. He was taken to hospital in handcuffs. Most recently, amid suspicion of lymphoma, he was again transferred in handcuffs from Buca to the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute. As always, while awaiting the institute’s report, he was returned to prison. Those advocating for Çalık, including his supporters and medical professionals, are calling for his immediate release. His release is no longer a choice—it is a necessity. Çalık belongs not in prison, but in a hospital.
