17.08.2026 17:01
In the 'corruption' case against IBB, 414 defendants, including 53 detainees and among them Ekrem Imamoglu, who was suspended from duty, appeared before the judge again. Imamoglu, who had not made a defense in previous hearings by citing the time given by the court, requested to make a defense in today's hearing. The panel, evaluating the request, decided that Imamoglu would make his defense at a time to be determined.
The second hearing of the "corruption" case involving 414 defendants, 52 of whom are arrested, including suspended Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, saw its first session today at 12:00 in the new courtroom located opposite the Marmara Penal Execution Institution in Silivri.
At the last session of the first hearing, the court had given Ekrem Imamoglu one day to prepare his defense. Imamoglu, however, claimed this period was insufficient and stated he would not present a defense.
Following Imamoglu's stance, the court ruled that he had waived his right to defense and adjourned the hearing.
COURT'S "DEFENSE" RULING
On the first day of the second hearing beginning today, Imamoglu's lawyers requested the court that their client be allowed to present his defense.
After evaluating the request, the court panel announced its interim ruling. In the announced interim decision, the court president stated, "A defendant can waive the right to remain silent at any time," and noted that since no defense was presented in the session 40 days ago, it was considered as exercising the right to remain silent.
The court president stated that the order of defense is determined at this stage and informed that for Imamoglu, "his defense will be taken at an appropriate place and within a reasonable time."
STATEMENT FROM OZGUR OZEL
New Party Chairman Ozgur Ozel came to Silivri to follow the hearing. Ozel was welcomed by IBB Deputy Chairman Nuri Aslan, Ekrem Imamoglu's wife Dilek Imamoglu, and party members.
Speaking after the hearing, Ozel said the following:
"In Silivri, we all discussed at the end of the last session how the right to defense was restricted. Neither during the 1960 Coup, nor the September 12 Coup, nor the Nuremberg trials in Germany, nor the processes where DISK was tried during the September 12 period—and all of those were trials of coup periods—was something like this seen. Something that happened in none of them happened, and Ekrem Imamoglu was told this: Because he is accused of being the founder and leader of nearly 150 organizations, they hold Ekrem Imamoglu responsible for every event and every claim under the sun. And while discussing these matters, when Imamoglu objected, they said, 'You will speak and explain when your time for defense comes. You have unlimited right to defense.' Then he insisted, 'I will finish the case on July 9.' On July 8, he said, 'Take the floor. You and your lawyers do whatever you need to do in five or six hours.' 'How can I and my lawyers do such a thing in five or six hours?' He said, 'Then you are waiving your right to defense.' 'I am not doing any such thing, I want to use my right to defense.' 'No, you are waiving it.' That's how he recorded the minutes. He left hastily.
They pointed to today. We have come to today. Today, Mr. Imamoglu's lawyers explained the mistake made and the correct course of action in legal language. He was very assertive that day. 'No, I will not grant the right to defense again.' We also said it here. It is a direct ground for reversal. Is he trying to get this court overturned? It means they lack the courage to voice the accusations and get answers in the face of Ekrem Imamoglu and our friends. After the time passed, as you see today, after stalling, he has now made his decision. He says, 'I will allow the right to defense to be used, but on an unspecified day, a day known to me.' When the lawyers insisted, 'I will tell you in advance.' You might as well not have said it. He will not know the day he is to present his defense. He says 'together,' 'at an appropriate place, at a reasonable time.' In other words, the judge will decide on the place, time, and duration. Whereas the right to defense can never be restricted. Saying 'I will grant this right,' he bestowed it, the gentleman."
FROM THE INDICTMENT
The 'corruption' investigation against Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested after being suspended from his post as Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, was completed, and an indictment of 3,809 pages was prepared on November 11, 2025. In the indictment, Ekrem Imamoglu, referred to as the 'organization leader,' was alleged to have committed the crimes of 'establishing an organization with the intent to commit crimes,' 'bribery,' 'laundering of crime proceeds,' 'fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations,' 'recording personal data,' 'seizing and disseminating personal data,' 'concealing evidence of crimes,' 'obstruction of communication,' 'damaging public property,' 'accepting bribes,' 'publicly disseminating misleading information,' 'extortion,' 'laundering of property values derived from crime,' 'rigging tenders,' 'deliberately polluting the environment,' 'violating the tax procedure law,' 'violating the forestry law,' and 'violating the mining law.' It is requested that Imamoglu be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 828 years and 2 months to 2,352 years for 142 acts.