Imamoğlu, leading Erdoğan challenger, faces life imprisonment in politically motivated case

Facing life imprisonment, imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu—President Erdoğan’s strongest political rival – is on trial in proceedings that many view as a deliberate effort to neutralize a major threat to the ruling AKP.

Turkish prosecutors are seeking a total sentence of “2,352 years in prison” for İmamoğlu, who faces 142 separate charges. These include forming an organisation with the intent to commit crimes, concealing evidence, damaging public property, bribery, extortion and a range of other alleged offences.

The trial began in the courthouse in Silivri, Istanbul province, but was interrupted shortly after it started due to tensions in the courtroom. Alongside İmamoğlu, more than 400 other defendants are standing trial.

The hearing was suspended by the presiding judge following a heated exchange between him and the mayor, according to the state broadcaster TRT Haber.

One of İmamoğlu’s lawyers criticised the judge for allowing the names of the defendants’ legal representatives to be disclosed in the media, warning that this could turn them into potential targets.

Members of parliament from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) who were present in the courtroom also voiced objections to the court’s conduct. At that point İmamoğlu asked to address the court, but the presiding judge warned him that he could not stand up and speak whenever he wished.

“You came here to judge us, didn’t you? You cannot simply walk away like that,” İmamoğlu shouted at the judge.

İmamoğlu is widely regarded as the most serious challenger to President Erdoğan. The Turkish government denies that the charges against him are politically motivated, but the opposition argues that the real aim is to prevent him from running in the next presidential election scheduled for 2028.

According to the 3,739-page indictment, an organised group allegedly led by İmamoğlu began operating during his tenure as mayor of Beylikdüzü and expanded during his term as mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

Court hearings are expected to take place four days a week until a verdict is delivered.

Restrictions have been imposed both on defence lawyers and on attendance in the courtroom. A maximum of three lawyers per defendant will be allowed, while relatives of detainees will be given priority over other observers wishing to follow the proceedings in person.

Only 25 journalists have been granted permission to attend the hearings – five from foreign media outlets and the remainder from Turkish media. The use of audio or video recording devices during the trial is prohibited.

All protests within a one-kilometre radius of the courthouse have also been banned.

EU openly supports İmamoğlu

The European Union has openly expressed support for İmamoğlu as he was awarded the European Pawel Adamowicz Award for “his unwavering defence of democracy, solidarity and the independence of local government in the face of autocratic tendencies and attempts at disqualification”.

The award was established by the European Committee of the Regions in partnership with the city of Gdańsk and the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN).

The arrests of opposition mayors in Turkey have already been condemned by the European Committee of the Regions, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe.

European institutions have described İmamoğlu as a symbol of courage, integrity and democratic renewal in Turkey.

The award on his behalf was received at a ceremony in the European Parliament in Brussels by Istanbul’s acting mayor Nuri Aslan, one of İmamoğlu’s closest associates.

“This distinction recognises not only his personal struggle, but also the efforts of millions of citizens who continue to defend democracy, the rule of law and the values of local self-government. We hope that the voice of democracy and justice will be heard and that he will soon be able to serve the citizens of Istanbul again,” Aslan said during the ceremony.

In his capacity as Istanbul mayor İmamoğlu and his supporters have consistently presented themselves as strong supporters of reviving Turkey’s stalled reform agenda, arguing that democratic reforms, the rule of law and stronger local governance are essential for the country’s future.

They openly advocate the continuation of reforms aimed at aligning Turkey with European standards, with the long-term goal of restoring momentum to Ankara’s accession process and ultimately securing Turkey’s membership of the European Union.

The Pawel Adamowicz Award was established in 2021 in memory of the murdered mayor of Gdańsk. The Polish mayor was fatally stabbed on 13 January 2019 during a charity event following a period of an intensified hate campaign against him.

Caption: A supporter of jailed and suspended Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu holds a placard reading ‘There is no salvation alone, either all together or none of us’ during a protest outside the courthouse of the Marmara Prison Complex, formerly Silivri Prison, on the outskirts of Istanbul, Turkey, 15 January 2026. Imamoglu, who has been held at the Marmara Prison since March 2025 following his detention on corruption charges, has filed a lawsuit to reverse Istanbul University’s decision to annul his degree. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN