13.07.2026 15:50
The trial of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, accused of attempting to influence the judiciary by targeting a court expert, has been postponed to December 8 due to a change of prosecutor. The indictment seeks a prison sentence of 2 to 4 years for İmamoğlu, who is currently detained in another case.
The trial of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is accused of attempting to influence the judiciary by targeting an expert witness, was adjourned due to a change of prosecutor.
HEARING ADJOURNED
The hearing continued for the case in which Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was suspended from his position as Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) and arrested, is accused of attempting to influence the performance of judicial duties by targeting an expert witness involved in some investigations.
The expert witness case was adjourned to December 8 due to the change of the hearing prosecutor.
PREPAYMENT MADE IN THE NEW FILED CASE
With the interlocutory decision made in the previous session, it was stated that a case was filed against Ekrem İmamoğlu for the crime of 'attempting to influence fair trial' and that this crime falls under the scope of misdemeanor prepayment. In this context, it was learned that Ekrem İmamoğlu made a prepayment through his lawyers.
INDICTMENT AND REQUESTED PUNISHMENT
In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was explained that with his statement on January 27, İmamoğlu aimed to create public opinion that the expert witness and judicial bodies are not independent and impartial.
In the prepared indictment, it was noted that through this public pressure, an attempt was made to influence the official expert witness duties being carried out in various investigations and prosecutions ongoing at the Istanbul Courthouse and other courthouses, and that he attempted to influence the case file being heard at the Büyükçekmece 10th Criminal Court of First Instance.
SUBJECTED TO A SMEAR CAMPAIGN
The indictment also included the statement given by the expert witness mentioned in the investigation as a 'complainant'. It was stated that the complainant said his name was suddenly published in various media outlets and social media due to İmamoğlu's statements, and he was subjected to a smear campaign, that he has never committed any unlawful act, that he has served as an expert witness in many cases not only about the CHP but also about other parties, and that his complaint continues.
In the prepared indictment, it was requested that Ekrem İmamoğlu be sentenced to 2 to 4 years in prison for the crimes of 'attempting to influence a person performing judicial duty, an expert witness or a witness' and 'attempting to influence fair trial'.
On the other hand, the indictment also requested the application of Article 53, paragraph 1 of the Turkish Penal Code, which states that as a legal consequence of a prison sentence for an intentional crime, the person shall be deprived of 'permanently, temporarily or temporarily holding a public office, including membership of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, or being employed in all civil service and duties dependent on appointment or election given by the state, provinces, municipalities, villages or institutions and organizations under their supervision and control.'