Turkish court jails Istanbul mayor Imamoglu pending trial

Imamoglu’s sentencing, seen as politicized by the opposition, European leaders, and protesters, targets President Erdogan’s main rival.

By: Reuters
Istanbul | March 23, 2025 02:03 PM IST

1 min read

People cast their ballots in a Republican People's Party polling station during a symbolic election to show solidarity with Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu after he was arrested. (AP photo)

A Turkish court jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on Sunday pending trial, state media and other broadcasters said, in a move likely to stoke the country’s biggest protests in more than decade.

The decision to send Imamoglu – who is President Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival – to prison comes after the main opposition party, European leaders and tens of thousands of protesters criticised the actions against him as politicised.

The court said Imamoglu and at least 20 others were jailed as part of a corruption investigation. A separate ruling on a terror-related investigation has yet to be issued.

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