Trial of Ekrem Imamoglu and Istanbul municipal officials begins in Silivri

The trial regarding corruption allegations within the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality began on Monday, March 9, at the Silivri courthouse. Former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is among the 402 defendants facing charges in this case, which centers on a 3,700 to 3,900-page indictment. Prosecutors accuse Imamoglu of being the founder and leader of a criminal organization, with charges including bribery, money laundering, fraud against public institutions, and rigging of tenders. Reports on the number of detained individuals vary between 105 and 106, while the potential prison sentences for Imamoglu range from over 828 to 2,352 years. The investigation, which began on March 19, 2025, alleges total damages to the public sector estimated at 160 billion Turkish liras and 24 million dollars. The proceedings involve 142 or 143 specific criminal acts according to differing reports. The first session of the trial focuses on the verification of defendant details, the reading of the indictment, and initial testimonies under heightened security. Government-affiliated media have labeled the case the theft of the century, while the opposition views the trial as highly political.