Imamoğlu, who defeated the ruling party three times in Istanbul elections sent to prison

In the recent court case involving Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the verdict was that he, along with at least 20 others, was ordered to be jailed pending trial on corruption charges. These charges include allegations of leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, extortion, misappropriation, and manipulating public tenders136. Additionally, İmamoğlu faces separate terrorism-related allegations, although he was not formally detained on those charges at this time145.

The court’s decision to jail İmamoğlu has sparked widespread protests across Turkey, with many viewing the move as politically motivated to sideline him from the upcoming presidential election247. The government maintains that the judiciary is independent and that the investigations are not influenced by politics17.

Regarding others involved in the case, at least 20 individuals were also jailed as part of the corruption probe. Furthermore, prosecutors have accused 99 people, including İmamoğlu, of illegally obtaining personal data6. A separate investigation accuses several officials, including İmamoğlu, of aiding a terrorist organization by recruiting its sympathizers, with 19 suspects still at large6.

In response to the protests, Turkish authorities have arrested hundreds of individuals, with Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reporting the detention of 323 people amid the demonstrations1.

Specific Charges against Imamoğlu

Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of Istanbul, faces multiple serious charges in two separate investigations:

1. Corruption Charges:

   • Prosecutors accuse İmamoğlu of leading a criminal organization involved in systematic fraud, bribery, and embezzlement.

   • He is alleged to have manipulated public tenders and unlawfully recorded personal data.

   • Additional accusations include extortion and misappropriation of municipal funds167.

2. Terrorism-Related Allegations:

   • İmamoğlu is accused of aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a designated terrorist organization in Turkey, the U.S., and the EU. This includes claims of recruiting PKK sympathizers into municipal positions.

   • He reportedly participated in an “urban consensus” initiative linked to pro-Kurdish groups before the 2024 local elections, allegedly amplifying Kurdish influence in municipal affairs138.

While İmamoğlu has been jailed pending trial on corruption charges, the court has dismissed terrorism-related allegations for now, stating that further detention on those grounds is unnecessary since he is already in custody for financial offenses68. He has denied all accusations, labeling them as politically motivated48.

In addition to Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, several other individuals have been imprisoned as part of the ongoing investigations into corruption and terrorism-related charges. These include:

• Resul Emrah Şahan, the Mayor of Şişli, who was arrested on terrorism-related charges38.

• Mehmet Murat Çalık, the Mayor of Beylikdüzü, who was arrested on corruption-related charges, specifically membership in a criminal organization and extortion38.

• Mahir Polat, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Deputy Secretary-General, who faced terrorism accusations and was arrested47.

• Mehmet Ali Çalışkan, Director of the Reform Institute, who also faced terrorism accusations and was arrested47.

• Murat Ongun, an aide to İmamoğlu and the chairman of Medya Inc., a company owned by the municipality, was arrested as part of the corruption investigation6.

• Tuncay Yılmaz, General Manager of İmamoğlu İnşaat Company, was also arrested in the corruption probe6.

Additionally, at least 47 other detainees were arrested on charges of corruption and terrorism, bringing the total number of suspects detained to over 1008.