The rival of the Turkish president faces 2,430 years in prison. The file of the former mayor of Istanbul counts 142 charges
The former mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, faces 2,430 years in prison. Turkey's most watched trial began to cheers from supporters.
Ekrem Imamoglu, former mayor of Istanbul PHOTO: Profimedia
A new trial has begun in Istanbul against the former mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu. The accusations against the rival of the Turkish president total 3,900 pages and include 142 charges. Today, Ekrem İmamoğlu entered the courtroom to the applause of supporters.
Ekrem Imamoglu is also accused of creating a criminal organization, bribery and embezzlement, writes Mediafax.
According to Hurriyet Daily News, if prosecutors find the former mayor guilty of all charges, he could face up to 2,430 years in prison.
The first hearing was interrupted by the judge, who refused to allow Ekrem İmamoğlu to make a statement.
After the former mayor asked “respecting the presumption of innocence”the judge left the courtroom, and everyone present was also asked to leave.
The trial resumed around noon.
The family of Ekrem İmamoğlu and Özgür Özel, the leader of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), were present in the courtroom.
The process is being carried out under strict security measures. All protests are prohibited within a radius of 1 kilometer around the court. Numerous supporters of the former mayor gathered behind the barriers erected in front of the court.
Ekrem İmamoğlu, one of the leaders of the CHP, which supports Turkey's European development path, was arrested in March 2025 on corruption charges. He denies all the allegations, saying they are politically motivated.
Imamoglu was considered the main rival of Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the presidential election, and his arrest sparked protests by millions of people in the streets of Turkish cities.
In July 2025, Ekrem İmamoğlu was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for insulting and threatening a prosecutor.
About 400 people are also accused in the ongoing corruption case, including employees of the mayors of Istanbul, Antalya, Bursa and other cities, as well as businessmen and journalists.
