Turkish court acquits suspended Istanbul Mayor in corruption case
3 Min Read
Turkish court acquits suspended Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in a corruption case, but new espionage and diploma forgery investigations threaten his political future.
-
Supporters chant slogans as they gather outside Silivri Prison, where a hearing is taking place for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, west of Istanbul, Turkey, April 11, 2025. (AP)
A Turkish court has acquitted suspended Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in a corruption case related to his tenure as head of the Beylikdüzü district, according to a report by Cumhuriyet on Friday.
The case, launched in January 2023, accused Imamoglu and six others of manipulating a public tender during his time as Beylikdüzü mayor in 2015. Prosecutors had sought a sentence of three to seven years in prison. However, the court ruled that there was no evidence of a criminal offense.
“The prosecution failed to prepare a proper indictment after five hearings,” stated Imamoglu’s lawyer, Nusret Yilmaz, during the court session.
Six former Beylikdüzü municipal employees were also found not guilty, reinforcing the court’s position that no legal wrongdoing occurred.
Despite the acquittal, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on the same day launched a new investigation into Imamoglu and several officials on espionage charges, reportedly linked to events surrounding the 2019 mayoral elections.
Imamoglu's political career at stake
Imamoglu, who is widely regarded as Erdogan’s main challenger in the 2028 presidential election, was detained on allegations of links to an organization involved in corruption, bribery, and aiding terrorism. However, prosecutors' efforts to secure his formal arrest in the terrorism probe were rejected.
His detention has ignited widespread protests across Turkey, with demonstrators defying government-imposed security measures and a ban on rallies in Istanbul that remains in place.
Earlier this year, Istanbul University annulled Imamoglu’s diploma, along with those of 27 others, following a request by the prosecutor's office. The annulment may disqualify him from presidential candidacy.
In a separate case, prosecutors are seeking a nine-year prison sentence and a political ban over alleged diploma forgery, further complicating his political future.
In July 2025, Imamoglu was sentenced to one year and eight months for allegedly threatening Chief Prosecutor Akin Gurlek and his family.
In December 2022, he received a two year and seven-and-a-half month sentence for insulting election officials. He was also banned from political activity, pending the outcome of an appeal. If his conviction is upheld by a highter court, the Turkish Supreme Election Council would need to approve the enforcement of the political ban.
Read more: Istanbul mayor staff face dozens of corruption arrest warrants
