30.03.2026 13:21
The interim decision in Ekrem İmamoğlu's expert witness case was announced today. If a prepayment is made, the case will be dismissed; if the case continues, the next hearing will be held on July 13. Additionally, another investigation has been initiated against İmamoğlu due to the statements he made in his defense.
Ekrem İmamoğlu is being tried for "attempting to influence an expert witness or a witness performing judicial duties" and "attempting to influence a fair trial" due to his statements directed at expert witness S.B. The fourth hearing of the case was held today in the courtroom of Marmara Prison in Silivri.
Imamoğlu, who will appear before the judge in two cases on the same day, was brought to the courtroom around 10:40.
INTERIM DECISION
The prosecutor, who announced his opinion, requested additional documents to address the missing issues at this stage, while the court, announcing its decision, stated that the crime of "attempting to influence an expert witness or a witness performing judicial duties" as defined in Article 277 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) did not occur, and that the crime was only constituted by the article "attempting to influence a fair trial" as defined in Article 288 of the TCK.
The court postponed the case to July 13 to address the missing issues, and the mentioned crime falls under the scope of prepayment. This means that if Imamoğlu makes a prepayment by July 13, the case may be dropped.
A NEW INVESTIGATION OPENED INTO HIS DEFENSE
On the other hand, a new investigation has been initiated against Imamoğlu due to the statements he made in his defense in today's expert witness case.
The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office made the following statement:
"Regarding the defendant Ekrem İmamoğlu, who testified in the case numbered 2025/125 of the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance during the hearing on 30.03.2026, an investigation has been initiated ex officio by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crimes of 'insulting and threatening a public official due to their duty' due to the words he directed at the judicial officials involved in the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, known to the public as the İmamoğlu organized crime investigation."
WHAT HAPPENED?
In the case where a prison sentence of two to four years and a political ban is sought for him, Imamoğlu is being tried for his statements regarding an expert witness named S.B., whom he stated was constantly assigned to his cases and the CHP's cases during the press conference titled "The Bigger Turnip" held in Saraçhane.
The judge of the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, where the case is being heard, was assigned to another court with the decree of the Judges and Prosecutors Council (HSK) announced in December, and the last hearing held on December 12 was presided over by a temporary judge due to the new judge being on leave. The temporary judge decided to send the file to the prosecutor's office for the preparation of an opinion on the merits and postponed the case for 108 days.