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Former Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was sentenced to a total of 1 year and 8 months in prison on Thursday after being found guilty of insulting a public official and issuing threats during a public panel in January.
The Istanbul court acquitted Imamoglu of the charge of targeting individuals involved in counterterrorism. Still, it convicted him for public insult against Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akin Gurlek and for threatening remarks made during the same event.
There is no political ban included in the verdict. If the prison sentence is upheld, Imamoglu could face a political ban during that period.
Due to high public interest, the trial was held at Silivri Prison Complex rather than the usual courthouse in central Istanbul. The hearing was attended by opposition CHP leader Ozgur Ozel and party members.
During the session, tensions rose as the prosecutor asked Imamoglu not to look at him while speaking, to which Imamoglu replied:
“Is it forbidden to look at the prosecutor?”
Speaking to the court, Imamoglu criticized the judicial process, saying: “We are not even being tried in a proper court of law.”
Imamoglu, a key opposition figure and possible presidential candidate, had previously refused to attend an earlier hearing in protest of the venue.
He has consistently claimed the charges are politically motivated, part of broader efforts to suppress opposition voices ahead of Türkiye’s next election cycle.
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