ISTANBUL (AP) — The trial of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent opposition figure and potential presidential challenger to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is set to begin March 9, raising concerns about the state of democracy and political freedoms in Türkiye. İmamoğlu, of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), faces a sprawling corruption prosecution involving 407 defendants, most of whom are Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality employees.
The case culminates a 17-month campaign by Turkish authorities against the CHP, marked by criminal investigations, detentions, and legal challenges targeting İmamoğlu and other party leaders, according to Human Rights Watch. Prosecutors allege İmamoğlu established a “criminal organization for illicit gain” while in office, aiming to enrich himself and secure his election as president. If convicted on all counts, he could face a prison sentence of up to 1929 years.
İmamoğlu has been detained for a year during the course of the investigations. A court ordered his detention on the day CHP members selected him as their presidential candidate. He remains in pretrial detention at Marmara Prison. He denies the accusations, claiming they are politically motivated.
The prosecution relies heavily on testimony from 15 anonymous witnesses and 76 defendants who agreed to testify in exchange for potentially reduced sentences. Critics argue this reliance, coupled with prejudicial statements from President Erdoğan and prosecutors, undermines İmamoğlu’s right to a fair trial.
“Looking at these cases as a whole, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that prosecutors are trying to remove İmamoğlu from politics and discredit his party in ways that undermine democracy,” said Benjamin Ward, deputy Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
The legal proceedings come after the CHP achieved a significant victory in the March 2024 local elections, surpassing Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) for the first time in 22 years, receiving 37.8% of the national vote compared to the AKP’s 35.5%.
The investigation into İmamoğlu began in October 2024 following the appointment of Deputy Justice Minister Akın Gürlek as Istanbul chief public prosecutor. Gürlek was subsequently appointed justice minister in February 2026, a move Human Rights Watch describes as highlighting “flagrant government influence” over the judiciary.
Further complicating matters, İmamoğlu’s lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, was himself detained in June 2025 and is also facing trial alongside his client, raising concerns about interference with İmamoğlu’s right to legal counsel.
The case is one of several legal challenges facing CHP officials. Investigations have targeted other CHP mayors in Istanbul and cities like Adana and Antalya, and legal efforts have been made to challenge CHP leadership elections.
The Turkish government has also faced criticism for its handling of independent media, with independent TV news channels facing fines and investigations for critical coverage of the crackdown on the opposition.
The trial of İmamoğlu is being closely watched internationally as a test of the rule of law and democratic principles in Türkiye. The outcome could have significant implications for the country’s political landscape and its future presidential elections.
