Former Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has been held in a high-security prison since March, accused of corruption, money laundering, and forming a criminal organization, according to the outlet Türkiye Today. The indictment, spanning 3,900 pages, involves 402 suspects and seeks a maximum sentence of up to 2,352 years in prison for the opposition leader. İmamoğlu, one of Turkey’s most prominent opposition figures and a member of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), was arrested in March on terrorism and corruption charges, leading to his removal from office as mayor. He has remained in custody since, as the judicial process continues.
A Far-Reaching Indictment
İmamoğlu’s legal team insists that the accusations are “completely baseless” and expects a full acquittal. According to his party’s attorney, the evidence presented by the prosecution lacks legal foundation and reflects a politicized interpretation of justice. Turkey’s Prosecutor General’s Office, however, maintains that the investigation was conducted independently and that sufficient evidence exists to uphold the charges.
National and International Reactions
The arrest of İmamoğlu sparked the largest protests in Turkey in more than a decade, with thousands of citizens demanding his release. Critics of the government claim the case is an attempt to weaken the main opposition party, after the CHP achieved a historic victory in the 2024 local elections, surpassing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP). Since then, the CHP has reported a wave of arrests targeting its members: more than 400 activists and 17 local mayors are currently facing prosecution. The government, for its part, denies any political motivation and defends the independence of the judiciary.
International Concerns
Several international organizations and the European Commission have urged Ankara to ensure due process and judicial transparency in the case, emphasizing the need to preserve public trust in the country’s democratic institutions.
