Istanbul’s imprisoned opposition mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, appeared in court on Friday to face charges of threatening a public prosecutor—one of several legal cases pending against him that have drawn significant political attention across Turkey.
İmamoğlu has been held in Silivri Prison, just outside Istanbul, since March 23 following his arrest on corruption-related charges. The current trial, however, relates to earlier accusations claiming he made threatening remarks directed at a prosecutor, a case that predates his March arrest and is among at least six ongoing investigations targeting the mayor.
Supporters gathered in large numbers outside the prison in a show of solidarity, with members of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), media outlets, and İmamoğlu’s family attending the hearing. The case was adjourned until June 16.
During the court proceedings, İmamoğlu made pointed remarks, asserting that his legal troubles stem from his electoral success against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s political allies. “I’m in court today because I beat the person who thinks he owns Istanbul—three times,” he told the judge, alluding to Erdoğan’s deep political roots in the city and his ongoing efforts to unseat opposition leadership.
İmamoğlu, widely viewed as Erdoğan’s main rival ahead of the next presidential election, faces over seven years in prison if convicted, along with a potential ban from political activity. The charges accuse him of “targeting and threatening public officials engaged in anti-terrorism efforts,” based on remarks he made in January criticizing Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek for pursuing criminal cases against opposition figures.
The mayor was initially detained in March over two separate probes: one concerning alleged corruption within the Istanbul municipality, and the other claiming his party’s electoral alliance with Kurdish politicians had links to terrorism. His arrest has been met with nationwide protests, and approximately 2,000 demonstrators have reportedly been detained for attending unauthorized rallies calling for his release and greater political freedoms.
Despite his incarceration, İmamoğlu was formally nominated as the CHP’s presidential candidate while in custody. Although the next national election is currently scheduled for 2028, speculation continues that it may be called earlier. Many observers, both domestic and international, see İmamoğlu’s legal troubles as politically driven, though Turkish officials maintain that the judiciary operates independently.
Meanwhile, two additional hearings involving İmamoğlu also took place in Istanbul courts on Friday. One centers on allegations of bid-rigging from his tenure as mayor of the Beylikdüzü district a decade ago. The other concerns accusations of illegally collecting campaign donations, stemming from a viral video during last year’s election campaign that showed CHP staff handling large amounts of cash.
As these cases unfold, İmamoğlu’s legal battles continue to symbolize broader tensions over democracy, rule of law, and political rivalry in Turkey.
