14.10.2026 11:50
Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been in prison for about 19 months, began presenting his defense on the 98th day of the İBB case. While New Party Chairman Özgür Özel also watched the hearing, the defense of İmamoğlu and his lawyers is expected to last 4 days.
News: Zuhal ÇİLOĞLAN
(ISTANBUL)
The 98th day of the İBB Case, which includes presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu among 436 defendants, 53 of whom are detained, is beginning.
HIS DEFENSE IS EXPECTED TO LAST 4 DAYS
On the 98th day of the case being heard by the Istanbul 33rd High Criminal Court at the Marmara Closed Prison campus in Silivri, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been in prison since March 19, 2025 and is held responsible for 143 different acts in the indictment, will present his defense. İmamoğlu's and his lawyers' defense is expected to last 4 days.
THE HALL BECAME COMPLETELY FULL
Actor İlyas Salman and poet-writer Sunay Akın also came to the courtroom to watch İmamoğlu. In the completely filled hall, a warning was issued not to chant slogans or make video recordings during the defense.
YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel also came to Silivri to watch the hearing. When Özel entered the hall, the spectators chanted "Free President, free Turkey" and "There is no salvation alone; either all together or none of us."
Spectators, who also reacted to the appointment of a trustee to Halk TV, chanted "A free press cannot be silenced" before the hearing.
İmamoğlu's wife Dilek İmamoğlu, his father Hasan İmamoğlu, and his mother Havva İmamoğlu also took their places in the courtroom.