Istanbul's opposition mayor faces trials, risks 2,352 years in prison

Istanbul's opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, is set to appear in court on Monday to face three separate trials that could result in a combined sentence of up to 2,352 years in prison. Imamoglu, a prominent figure in Turkey's largest opposition party, has been detained since March of last year.

The legal proceedings encompass allegations of irregularities in his management of Istanbul, accusations of political espionage, and questions surrounding his university diploma. The first trial, concerning the alleged mismanagement of the metropolis, involves 414 defendants, 59 of whom are currently in pre-trial detention. The indictment, spanning approximately 3,900 pages, accuses Imamoglu of numerous offenses, primarily "founding and leading a criminal organization," and seeks a prison term between 828 and 2,352 years.

Simultaneously, trials for "political espionage" and issues related to his academic credentials will take place in Istanbul. In the espionage case, Imamoglu is charged alongside journalist Merdan Yanardag, political advisor Necati Ozkan, and businessman Huseyin Gun. The defendants maintain their innocence, arguing that the charges lack concrete evidence and are politically motivated.

The third case challenges Imamoglu's university diploma, which was revoked by Istanbul University before his arrest in March 2025. He has appealed this decision to an administrative court. Turkish law requires a university education for presidential candidates, and the revocation of his diploma could prevent him from running in the 2028 elections.

Imamoglu's arrest on March 19, 2025, stemmed from allegations of corruption and supposed ties to a terrorist organization. His detention triggered widespread protests across Turkey, marking the largest wave of demonstrations in over a decade and leading to numerous arrests of CHP officials and politicians. Despite these legal battles, Imamoglu was officially nominated as the presidential candidate for the Republican People's Party (CHP) for the 2028 elections. Nuri Aslan, another CHP politician, is currently serving as the acting mayor of Istanbul.