Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu Handed Another Prison Sentence, Deepening Political Turmoil
In a move that observers widely view as a politically motivated crackdown, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent rival to Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan, has been sentenced to a fresh prison term. This latest conviction, announced on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, extends a series of legal challenges against the popular opposition figure, who has been in jail pending trial since March on separate corruption charges.
Insulting a Public Official: The Charges
İmamoğlu was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for "insulting and threatening" Istanbul's chief prosecutor, Akin Gürlek. The charges stem from comments İmamoğlu made on January 20, where he criticized Gürlek's handling of a case involving a youth leader from İmamoğlu's Republican People's Party (CHP). İmamoğlu, who denies the charges, stated he was "fighting against the abuse of the judiciary and against its use as a political tool."
This marks the second time İmamoğlu has been convicted of insulting public officials. In December 2022, he was sentenced to two years and six months in jail for criticizing election board officials after they annulled the 2019 Istanbul mayoral election, which he had initially won. He famously called those responsible "fools." That earlier conviction, if upheld on appeal, could prevent him from participating in future elections.
A Pattern of Legal Pressure
The latest conviction is just one part of a broader legal offensive against İmamoğlu, seen by many as an attempt to sideline a formidable political opponent ahead of future elections.
Ongoing Detention: İmamoğlu has been held in Silivri prison, a complex often used for high-profile and politically sensitive trials, since his arrest on March 19, 2025, on separate corruption and terrorism charges.
Diploma Annulment: In March 2025, Istanbul University controversially annulled İmamoğlu's university diploma, a move that could prevent him from standing as a candidate for president, as a university degree is a prerequisite.
Wider Crackdown: Since October 2024, more than 500 people, including many officials from municipalities run by the opposition CHP, have been detained under investigations into alleged corruption and other charges.
What's Next for İmamoğlu?
The new prison sentence of one year and eight months must be confirmed by two appeals courts before it becomes final. İmamoğlu's lawyers have indicated they will appeal the verdict. He has also appealed his 2022 conviction, but that appeal has not yet been reviewed.
Despite the legal obstacles, İmamoğlu remains a potent symbol of opposition in Turkey. His initial victory in the 2019 Istanbul elections, and his subsequent re-election after the annulment, demonstrated significant public support. His arrest in March sparked widespread protests across Turkey, with the CHP regularly holding rallies in his support.
The ongoing legal battles against İmamoğlu are widely perceived as a severe blow to democratic processes in Turkey, raising concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the state of political freedoms in the country.
