Ekrem Imamoglu, the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul and leading rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, appeared in court Monday on charges of threatening and insulting a top judicial official.

Prosecutors have charged the 54-year-old mayor with threatening, insulting, and targeting a public official — serious allegations in Turkey's increasingly politicized judiciary.

What is the case against Imamoglu?

The case centers on comments Imamoglu allegedly made about Istanbul's chief public prosecutor, Akin Gurlek, questioning his integrity.

Imamoglu faces more than seven years in prison and a political ban for allegedly "targeting, threatening and insulting persons working in the fight against terrorism."

Monday's hearing was held inside Istanbul's Silivri prison, where Imamoglu has been detained since late March after his arrest in a separate corruption investigation.

That earlier case, which authorities claim involves financial misconduct, triggered Turkey's largest street protests in over a decade. Police arrested hundreds of people in response.

The numerous cases could result in prison sentences and a political ban.

When he took to the stand in April, Imamoglu denied all allegations and claimed he had been targeted because he plans to run against Erdogan in the 2028 presidential election, according to Turkish media at the time.

In a statement to the prosecutor in January, he argued that he had simply been exercising his right to free speech.

He said there was no threat or targeting in his remarks and described his comments as protected under freedom of expression.

What did Imamoglu tell the court?

Speaking before the court, Imamoglu claimed he was subjected to "psychological torture," along with other arrested party members.

"Today, all the opposition positions that displease the government and the will of tens of millions of people are being judged here," Imamoglu declared as he represented himself before a judge in an Istanbul court.

As the trial was taking place, a crowd gathered outside the prison.

"Turkey is proud of you," chanted Imamoglu's supporters.

"There is no salvation alone: ​​either all together, or no one," they added.

While unrelated to the corruption probe, the current trial adds to a growing list of legal cases facing Imamoglu — seen by many as the most formidable challenger to Erdogan's rule.

Rights groups and opposition parties have condemned Imamoglu's detention as politically motivated, accusing the government of using the courts to suppress dissent ahead of key national elections.

Edited by: Zac Crellin