Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent rival of Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan, was sentenced to prison today by an Istanbul court. İmamoğlu, who has been in jail awaiting trial since March on other corruption charges, received a sentence of one year and eight months for insulting and threatening Istanbul’s chief prosecutor. This new prison sentence requires confirmation by two higher courts.
Second Conviction and Political Ramifications
This marks the second time İmamoğlu has been convicted of insulting public officials. In 2022, he was sentenced to two years and six months for criticizing election commission officials over their decision to annul the 2019 Istanbul elections, which he had won against the ruling AK Party’s candidate. He has appealed that earlier decision, but it has yet to be reviewed. İmamoğlu denies all charges against him.
“I am fighting against the abuse of justice and its use as a political tool. This is actually an insult to our nation,” İmamoğlu was quoted as saying by Halk TV and other Turkish media outlets.
The 2022 conviction, if upheld, could bar İmamoğlu from participating in future elections. Furthermore, Istanbul University revoked İmamoğlu’s university degree in March, a prerequisite for running for president.
Since October of last year, police have detained over 500 individuals, with more than 200 of them jailed pending trial, as part of investigations into municipalities led by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), İmamoğlu’s party. The CHP vehemently denies the corruption allegations, labeling them as politically motivated attempts by the government to eliminate electoral threats to Erdoğan—an accusation the government denies.
Wednesday’s court session took place at the Silivri judicial complex in Istanbul, a facility frequently used for high-profile and politically sensitive trials, and where İmamoğlu is currently being held.
