İmamoğlu Faces Prison, Political Ban in New Legal Case
imamoglu
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent opposition figure from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), faces up to four years in prison and a political ban following an indictment over his remarks concerning an expert witness in politically charged cases against CHP-led municipalities.
Judicial Investigation Intensifies
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into İmamoğlu after a Jan. 27 press conference, where he accused a judicial expert witness, identified as S.B., of bias in legal cases targeting CHP officials. He alleged that S.B. played a key role in lawsuits leading to the arrests of Istanbul district mayors Rıza Akpolat and Ahmet Özer.
Now, prosecutors have completed the indictment, accusing İmamoğlu of "attempting to influence a judicial officer, expert, or witness," which carries a potential two-to-four-year prison sentence and a political ban.
Potential Political Impact
İmamoğlu, widely seen as one of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s strongest political rivals, is already facing multiple legal challenges that could bar him from office. The latest case fuels speculation that he is being targeted ahead of the 2028 presidential race, where he is expected to be a leading opposition candidate.
The CHP primary in late March is expected to confirm his presidential candidacy, making the timing of the indictment politically significant.
