A trial has begun against İmamoğlu. He is accused of corruption and leading a criminal group. Bloomberg reported this.
According to the investigation, a total of 401 people—businesspeople and municipal officials—are also accused in the case. If the charges are confirmed, İmamoğlu could face a total sentence of more than 2000 years of imprisonment.
Representatives of the opposition Republican People's Party, however, assess these charges as political pressure. According to the party leader Özgür Özel, behind this case lies the political rivalry of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
It is reported that İmamoğlu has been in custody since March 2025. He was detained just a few days before he officially announced his intention to participate in the presidential elections.
We recall that İmamoğlu won the Istanbul mayoral elections in 2019 and 2024, which was a serious political blow for the ruling Justice and Development Party. The next presidential elections in Turkey are scheduled for 2028.
