Pro-government group files complaint against İstanbul mayor for 'going to restaurant amid snowfall'

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The National Survival Movement, a group close to the government, has filed a criminal complaint against İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu for "misconduct."

The group cited İmamoğlu's meeting with Dominick Chilcott, the UK's ambassador to Turkey, at a fish restaurant on Monday (January 24), when a heavy snowfall hit İstanbul, as the reason for their complaint.

The petition of complaint submitted by Murat Şahin, the head of the group, mentions İmamoğlu as "the suspect" and says he was "busy with his personal affairs during the hours when he was supposed to be fulfilling his duties and responsibilities."

İmamoğlu was responsible for all the problems caused by the heavy snowfall, according to Şahin.

The group led by Şahin last week protested and threatened singer Sezen Aksu, whom they accused of "insulting religious values" in one of her songs.

Pro-government media outlets and several government figures also slammed the mayor, who is a member of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), for going to a restaurant while thousands of people were stranded on roads.

İmamoğlu: It's my duty as well

In response to criticisms, İmamoğlu released a written statement yesterday (January 25), saying that they had scheduled the meeting with the ambassador weeks ago.

"Despite this decision, Mr. Ambassador, as per his promise, had left Ankara and came to Istanbul the day before despite the snowfall. After the work I did both here and in the field all day long, we spared some time to hold this official meeting," said the mayor.

"Of course, it has a personal side. We did it together with our spouses. Again, of course, we chatted, we talked about food, we talked about our countries, we talked about the relations between our country and England.

"In other words, the relationship he has established or will establish with the ambassadors or chief consuls of other countries is the duty and responsibility of the İstanbul mayor as much as fighting the snow. And I am duly fulfilling this." (HA/VK)