ISTANBUL (Medyascope) – A new investigation has been opened into imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu for comments made yesterday (April 6) while exiting the 16th hearing of the trial targeting the opposition-controlled Istanbul municipality.
By Furkan Karabay • (Medyascope)
The new investigation into the mayor accuses him of ‘insulting public officials.’ As he was leaving Monday’s hearing, İmamoğlu reportedly told prosecutors:
“Do you know why this case has collapsed? Because the prosecution is so unconscionable…The prosecution itself is the only criminal organization in this case.”
Following his statements, İmamoğlu was hit with yet another investigation.
Tense exchange between İmamoğlu and prosecutors
In the 17th hearing of the case Tuesday, İmamoğlu was confronted directly by prosecutors, who asked him to explain his comments from Monday that led to the opening of the new investigation for ‘insulting public officials.’
İmamoğlu then appealed to the judge overseeing the hearing, saying such questioning was unacceptable. The prosecution continued to scold İmamoğlu for “making statements that cast a shadow on the trial and attempt to pressure the prosecution,” saying “This is not the right approach.”
The judge attempted unsuccessfully to intervene as the exchange escalated. At one point, the prosecution scolded İmamoğlu for having used the informal ‘you’ form as opposed to the formal form typically used in court settings.
İmamoğlu faces 2400 years in prison in the Istanbul municipality trial, which critics have argued is a politically-motivated attempt to neutralize President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s most serious challenger. The mayor’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) has faced immense judicial pressure since the beginning of 2025, with recent arrests in Uşak, Bursa, and the Istanbul district of Üsküdar.
Tense moments in trial of imprisoned Istanbul Mayor following opening of new investigation | Translated by Leo Kendrick for Medyascope
