Fri Apr 11 12:31:05 UTC 2025: ## Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu’s Court Appearance Sparks Protests
**Istanbul, Turkey –** Istanbul’s jailed opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, appeared in court on Friday, April 11, 2025, facing charges of threatening a public prosecutor. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside Silivri prison, where the hearing took place. Imamoglu, who was arrested on March 19th, asserted in court that his prosecution is politically motivated, stemming from his electoral victories against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The hearing, one of several cases against the mayor, was adjourned until June 16th. Imamoglu, the main opposition challenger to Erdogan in the upcoming 2028 election (potentially sooner), faces over seven years in prison and a political ban on separate charges of “targeting, threatening and insulting persons working in the fight against terrorism.” These charges relate to comments he made in January criticizing a public prosecutor. Additional hearings concerning bid-rigging and illegal donations are also underway.
Imamoglu’s arrest sparked widespread protests across Turkey, resulting in the detention of approximately 2,000 people. His official nomination as the CHP presidential candidate while in custody further fueled accusations of politically motivated persecution. While the Turkish government maintains the judiciary’s independence, international observers widely view the case against Imamoglu as politically driven.
First Piper 