Turkish Court Rejects Imamoglu's Appeal Release

Judicial officials in Turkey on Monday rejected an appeal to release Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu from jail while he awaits trial on corruption charges, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency.

Imamoglu, a leading opposition figure and potential challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two-decade rule, was detained on March 19 and formally jailed four days later. His arrest has drawn widespread criticism, with opponents alleging political motivations to sideline a key rival ahead of Turkey’s next presidential election, currently scheduled for 2028 but potentially moved forward.

The mayor’s detention has triggered the largest wave of anti-government protests in Turkey in over a decade. Authorities, however, maintain that the judiciary operates independently, denying any political interference.

Court Upholds Detention Amid Legal Challenges

On Monday, the Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance dismissed appeals from Imamoglu’s lawyers, ruling that he must remain in custody, Anadolu reported. His legal team argued that the investigation violated procedural norms and signaled they would renew their appeal.

The court also denied release requests for Murat Ongun, chairman of a media company tied to Istanbul’s municipality and a close aide to Imamoglu, as well as other suspects arrested alongside the mayor. A lawyer for Imamoglu said he had not yet been formally notified of the decision.

A Rising Opposition Leader Faces Legal Battles

Imamoglu, who was officially nominated as the presidential candidate for the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) while in custody, won overwhelming support in an internal party vote on March 23. Nearly 15 million people—including 13 million non-members voting in solidarity—backed his candidacy.

His legal troubles predate the current case. In 2022, he was convicted of insulting members of Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council, a ruling he is appealing. If upheld, it could result in a political ban.

Imamoglu first rose to national prominence in 2019 when he defeated Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Istanbul’s mayoral race—a major blow to the president, whose party had controlled the city for 25 years. After the AKP contested the results, forcing a rerun, Imamoglu won again by an even wider margin.

He secured re-election in local polls last year, part of a broader opposition surge that weakened Erdogan’s party. His continued detention has intensified scrutiny over Turkey’s judicial independence and political freedoms ahead of the next election cycle.