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Trial Begins for 'Istanbul Municipality' Case - Imamoglu Accused

Published March 9, 2026, 09:11
Trial Begins for 'Istanbul Municipality' Case - Imamoglu Accused

The trial for the 'Istanbul Municipality' case begins today, with hundreds of people accused, including former mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The case, one of the largest judicial proceedings in Turkey in recent decades, involves 402 defendants, 105 of whom are in pre-trial detention, and a 3,700-page indictment. Imamoglu is accused of being the founder and leader of a criminal organization and faces 142 charges, with a potential sentence of up to 2,352 years in prison. The charges include bribery, money laundering, fraud, and corruption. The case has sparked intense political controversy in Turkey, with different sides presenting conflicting interpretations.