Ekrem Imamoglu, the former mayor of Istanbul and a leading rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is now detained at Silivri prison, Europe's largest prison complex, facing charges that could result in a sentence of up to 2,430 years. His trial began on 9 March 2026 and is expected to continue until early 2027, with many observers predicting a conviction.
Background and Arrest
Imamoglu was first elected mayor of Istanbul in 2019, ending Erdogan's 25-year hold on the city. He won re-election in March 2024 with 51% of the vote. On 18 March 2025, three weeks after announcing his candidacy for the 2028 presidential elections, Istanbul University annulled his college diploma, rendering him ineligible for office. The next day, police arrested him. He faces 142 charges, including leading a criminal organization, bribery, and aiding the Kurdistan Workers' party.
Trial Proceedings
The trial involves over 400 defendants, with 68 currently detained. The 3,739-page indictment was submitted on 11 November 2025. The court initially aimed to complete the case in under 4,600 days, but proceedings have accelerated. Journalist Furkan Karabay, who covered the case, expects Imamoglu to testify in mid-summer. The trial's length likely prevents him from running in 2028.
On the first day, opposition lawmakers and activists packed the courtroom. By 13 April, attendance had dwindled. Reporters faced restrictions; only those with government-issued press cards were initially allowed entry. The author gained access using an Artforum press card.
Imamoglu's Defence
Imamoglu described the process as "a form of torture" and called the case "unbelievable" and "shameful." He expressed concern for detained staff, whom he called "zero-income people." His lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, was himself detained in June 2025 on money laundering charges.
Ali Yaycioglu, an associate professor at Stanford University and Imamoglu's ghostwriter, fled Turkey on 18 March after learning of the impending arrest. He now advises the legal team from Harvard, drafting a "political defence" with a historical framework.
Political Impact
Imamoglu's arrest triggered massive protests, and the interior ministry ordered removal of his posters. His X account was "withheld" five times. In June 2025, the CHP announced plans to use AI and holograms in his presidential campaign. In March, Imamoglu expressed hope for a female president, sparking speculation that his wife, Dilek, might run.
Since March 2024, 76 mayors from various parties have joined the AKP, allegedly to avoid Imamoglu's fate. Court cases have also targeted CHP leadership. On 21 May, the court of appeals annulled CHP's November 2023 congress results, and on 24 May, police stormed CHP headquarters.
Public Sentiment
In 2025, 65% of Turks considered Imamoglu's arrest unfair, but that figure dropped to below 50% in 2026. The Turkish lira, which collapsed after his arrest, has stabilized after the central bank spent $50 billion to support it. Opposition fatigue appears to have set in.
Historical Parallels
Imamoglu's situation mirrors Erdogan's own imprisonment in 1999 for reciting a poem, which boosted his popularity and propelled him to the prime ministership. However, Imamoglu has already spent over a year in pre-trial detention and is unlikely to be released while Erdogan remains in power.
