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PoliticsTurkey

Istanbul's suspended mayor Imamoglu on trial

05:17

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March 9, 2026

Ekrem Imamoglu, one of Turkey's most popular opposition figures, has appeared in court in a trial that could last years. Prosecutors are seeking more than 2000 years in prison for President Erdogan's main political rival

Protesters in Istanbul are demanding the release of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, jailed for nearly a year and now on trial over corruption charges he denies. His 2025 arrest triggered mass demonstrations, with supporters calling the case political. Prosecutors seek an unprecedented sentence in a sprawling trial with hundreds of defendants. Critics warn the proceedings threaten the democratic future of Turkey.

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