Turkish Prosecutors Seek 2430 Years for Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu

Massive Prison Sentence Demanded for Erdogan's Main Rival

Turkish prosecutors have demanded a staggering 2,430-year prison sentence for Ekrem Imamoglu, the suspended mayor of Istanbul and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's primary political opponent. The unprecedented legal move comes as Imamoglu faces 142 separate charges in what critics describe as a politically motivated attempt to eliminate Erdogan's most formidable challenger ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.

Extensive Charges and Allegations

The 4,000-page indictment accuses Imamoglu of founding and leading a criminal organization, bribery, fraud, extortion, money laundering, and tender rigging. Prosecutors allege the corruption network caused approximately 160 billion Turkish lira (equivalent to 3.25 billion euros) in losses to the state over the past decade. 'The evidence includes financial analysis from Masak, digital evidence, and video footage showing businessmen being pressured to pay bribes through a secret municipal fund,' according to court documents.

Imamoglu has been in pre-trial detention since his dramatic arrest in March 2025, which led to his immediate suspension as mayor of Turkey's largest city. The indictment names 402 suspects and spans more than 3,500 pages, making it one of the most extensive legal cases in modern Turkish history.

Political Context and Opposition Response

The case unfolds against a backdrop of escalating political tensions in Turkey. Imamoglu's Republican People's Party (CHP) has denounced the charges as 'nonsense and shameful' and claims the legal proceedings are designed to prevent the popular mayor from challenging Erdogan in the next presidential election. 'This is clearly a political trial aimed at sidelining our strongest candidate,' said CHP spokesperson Faik Oztrak.

Imamoglu himself has maintained his innocence, stating through his lawyers that 'these allegations are completely baseless and politically motivated.' His legal team is pushing for acquittal on all charges.

Broader Crackdown on Opposition

The case against Imamoglu is part of a wider pattern of legal actions against opposition figures in Turkey. Since the CHP's strong performance in recent local elections, hundreds of party members have been arrested, including 17 mayors from opposition-run municipalities. The government has also sought to shut down the CHP entirely, alleging illicit financing.

The arrests have triggered the largest protests in Turkey in over a decade, with millions taking to the streets in March 2025. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons, detaining over 1,100 protesters according to BBC reports.

International Concerns and Domestic Impact

The case has drawn international attention, with human rights organizations and Western governments expressing concern about the state of democracy in Turkey. The European Commission has urged Turkey to uphold democratic values, while critics argue the judiciary has become increasingly politicized under Erdogan's long rule.

Domestically, the situation has created significant political uncertainty. With inflation remaining high at 34% in July 2025 and economic challenges persisting, the political crackdown has further polarized Turkish society. Many analysts see the case as a critical test for Turkey's democratic institutions and the future of political competition in the country.

The government maintains that the judiciary is independent and that the investigations are legitimate attempts to combat corruption. However, with sentencing demands reaching unprecedented levels and the timing coinciding with electoral cycles, the case continues to raise questions about the intersection of law and politics in modern Turkey.