Former Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for allegedly insulting a public prosecutor, marking a significant escalation in the political tensions between him and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The case stems from remarks Imamoglu allegedly made after police raided the home of a youth leader from his opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). The verdict was handed down at the high-security Silivri court, which often hosts politically sensitive trials. Imamoglu has denied all allegations, claiming the cases are politically motivated and aimed at derailing his potential bid to challenge Erdogan in the 2028 presidential election. The government has maintained that the judiciary is independent and free from political interference.
Imamoglu’s arrest sparked mass unrest across Turkey, with demonstrators clashing with riot police in multiple cities. His legal troubles have included previous convictions and ongoing appeals, including the annulment of his Istanbul University diploma, which could bar him from running for president. Prosecutors had initially sought a sentence of more than seven years and a ban on Imamoglu holding public office. However, the final sentence fell short of the two-year threshold required to impose such a ban.
This is not the first time Imamoglu has faced legal trouble over his remarks. In 2022, he was sentenced to two years and six months in prison for criticizing election board officials who annulled his 2019 mayoral victory. That verdict is currently under appeal. If upheld, it could prevent him from participating in future elections.