Istanbul mayor faces corruption trial

Published: 10 March 2026

The English Chronicle Desk

The English Chronicle Online — World News

The trial of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has opened in dramatic fashion, with prosecutors accusing the opposition leader of running a vast corruption network and seeking a sentence of more than 2,400 years in prison. Rights groups and his party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), insist the charges are politically motivated, designed to silence one of the few figures seen as capable of challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

İmamoğlu, 55, appeared in court at the Marmara prison on Monday, facing over 140 charges including corruption, espionage, and forging his university degree. He was greeted by supporters with cheers and whistles, but proceedings quickly descended into chaos when he protested the judge’s decision to hear other defendants’ testimony before his own. The judge called his actions “disrespectful” and adjourned the hearing after just 15 minutes.

İmamoğlu’s rise has been meteoric. First elected mayor of Istanbul in 2019, he stunned Erdoğan’s ruling AK Party by winning Turkey’s largest city — a defeat many commentators described as the president’s “worst ever.” He was re‑elected in 2024, defeating the government’s candidate by nearly a million votes. His popularity made him a leading contender to challenge Erdoğan in future presidential elections.

But in March 2025, on the very day he was named CHP’s candidate for the 2028 presidency, İmamoğlu was arrested. His detention sparked the largest street protests in Turkey in more than a decade, followed by a police crackdown and hundreds of arrests. Critics say the timing was no coincidence, and that the trial is part of a broader effort to remove him from politics.

Prosecutors allege İmamoğlu is the “founder and leader” of a criminal organisation involving more than 400 supporters, who are also on trial. They accuse him of orchestrating a corruption network, misusing public funds, and engaging in espionage.

One of the most striking charges is that he forged his university degree — a qualification required to run for president. Authorities annulled the degree last year, further undermining his eligibility.

If convicted on all counts, İmamoğlu could face a sentence of 2,430 years.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have strongly criticised the proceedings. HRW’s Benjamin Ward said: “The trial of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu follows more than a year of weaponising the criminal justice system against his party and other CHP elected officials while he sits in jail. Looking at these cases as a whole, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that prosecutors are trying to remove İmamoğlu from politics and discredit his party in ways that undermine democracy.”

Amnesty’s Dinushika Dissanayake called the charges “absurd,” noting that they rely heavily on secret witness testimony. “This politically motivated prosecution is riddled with serious international fair trial and rule of law issues,” she said.

The Turkish government insists the judiciary operates independently. Justice Minister Akin Gürlek, who previously led the investigation into İmamoğlu, defended his actions: “I simply did my duty as a public prosecutor. My conscience is clear.”

Officials deny that the trial is politically motivated, arguing that corruption must be tackled regardless of political affiliation.

Despite his imprisonment, İmamoğlu remains a symbol of resistance for Turkey’s opposition. His wife Dilek İmamoğlu and CHP leader Özgür Özel attended the trial, underscoring the party’s support. Outside the courtroom, demonstrators gathered to demand his release, chanting slogans against Erdoğan’s government.

The CHP has accused the ruling party of using the judiciary as a weapon, pointing to a pattern of prosecutions against opposition figures. Analysts say the trial could galvanise opposition support, but also risks intimidating voters ahead of future elections.

The case has drawn global attention, with Western governments and rights organisations monitoring closely. Turkey’s democratic credentials have long been questioned, and the trial of a popular opposition leader is likely to deepen concerns.

Observers warn that silencing İmamoğlu could destabilise Turkey’s political landscape, especially in Istanbul, a city of 16 million people and a key economic hub.

For many Turks, the trial is not just about corruption but about the future of democracy. İmamoğlu’s victories in 2019 and 2024 were seen as proof that Erdoğan’s dominance could be challenged through the ballot box. His imprisonment, critics argue, shows that the government is unwilling to risk losing power.

Whether the charges are proven or dismissed, the trial will shape Turkey’s political trajectory for years to come.

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