Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu boycotts court hearing citing 'unlawful' change of venue

Published connected 13/06/2025 - 1:17 GMT+2•Updated 2:12

Istanbul’s jailed guidance Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and his ineligible squad person boycotted a tribunal proceeding connected Thursday aft they claimed that a precocious alteration successful venue for nan proceedings was “unlawful”.

The case, 1 of galore criminal allegations Imamoglu is facing, was complete comments nan Istanbul politician made connected an master witness, complete nan prosecution of different officials from his Republican People’s Party, aliases CHP.

In a statement, nan CHP said neither Imamoglu nor his ineligible squad would be Thursday's proceeding owed to a alteration successful venue done “unlawful procedures.”

Imamoglu, successful a station from jail, described nan proceeding arsenic “irregular” and said it “does not comply pinch nan principles of nan trial. I garbage to beryllium a portion of specified a process and truthful I will not be this hearing.”

CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Ozgur Celik posted connected X that nan mayor’s proceeding had been moved from Caglayan courthouse successful cardinal Istanbul, to Silivri situation – wherever Imamoglu is being held – successful occidental Istanbul, only 24 hours earlier.

Prosecutors person requested a situation condemnation of 2 to 4 years and a governmental prohibition connected charges of “attempting to influence” an master witnesser successful nan case. The proceeding was adjourned to 26 September.

Imamoglu was arrested successful almost 3 months ago, alongside different salient governmental figures. His location was raided early greeting connected 19 March, arsenic portion of an investigation into alleged corruption and links to panic organisations.

His apprehension triggered weeks of nationwide protests calling for his release. Protesters judge Imamoglu, seen by galore arsenic President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main governmental rival successful nan adjacent statesmanlike elections, was arrested for governmental reasons.

The protests, which often turned violent, results successful hundreds of arrests, galore of whom are besides connected proceedings for “inciting violence”. The demonstrations were nan biggest Turkey has seen successful complete a decade.

A condemnation successful immoderate of nan cases Imamoglu is facing could spot nan Istanbul politician banned from holding aliases moving for nationalist office.