The mass trial of 400 people, including jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, has opened in Turkey amid accusations of political motivation. Critics claim the sprawling corruption case aims to prevent İmamoğlu from challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in future elections.
İmamoğlu entered the Istanbul courtroom to cheers from opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) members, with reports of lawyers chanting for a fair trial. The first hearing saw a heated exchange after the judge refused İmamoğlu's repeated requests to speak, stating he could not simply approach the podium. The mayor responded that the court should respect the right to self-defence.
Hundreds of former and current Istanbul municipality employees, including over 106 already jailed, face trial alongside İmamoğlu. They are accused of involvement in an alleged corruption and organised crime network centred on his office. İmamoğlu was arrested last year after announcing his presidential candidacy for the CHP.
Prosecutors claim corrupt activities date back to 2014, causing 160bn lira (£2.85bn) in losses. If convicted, İmamoğlu faces over 1,900 years in prison. Observers and Human Rights Watch have described the trial as politically motivated, citing secret witnesses and a broader crackdown on opposition mayors.
İmamoğlu's arrest sparked mass protests, and the CHP has symbolically nominated him for president. His wife, Dilek, expressed anxiety ahead of the hearing, hoping for trial without detention. The trial continues over coming weeks.
