ISTANBUL, July 16 — A Turkish court has sentenced Ekrem İmamoğlu, the former mayor of Istanbul and leading opposition figure, to 1 year and 8 months in prison for publicly insulting a public official, issuing threats, and targeting individuals involved in counterterrorism efforts, Haber Global reports.
The charges relate to remarks İmamoğlu allegedly made in January 2025 about Istanbul prosecutor Akın Gürlek and his family. Gürlek is a controversial figure associated with high-profile political trials and is seen by many critics as aligned with the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Despite the prison sentence, the court did not impose a political activity ban, meaning İmamoğlu can technically remain active in politics, though his eligibility may be jeopardized if the verdict is upheld on appeal.
Political Overtones and Erosion of Judicial Independence
The ruling has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups, legal observers, and international institutions, who view the case as part of a broader pattern of judicial weaponization under Erdoğan’s administration.
İmamoğlu, a rising figure in the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has been repeatedly targeted by Turkish courts in what opposition parties and foreign analysts describe as a deliberate attempt to sideline political challengers ahead of future national elections.
“The judiciary in Turkey has become an extension of executive power,” said one EU diplomat, commenting anonymously due to protocol. “Selective prosecutions of opposition leaders are undermining what’s left of democratic accountability.”
A Chilling Pattern
İmamoğlu’s conviction follows a series of prosecutions against journalists, academics, and elected officials that critics say reflect Turkey’s authoritarian drift. Dozens of elected Kurdish mayors have been removed and replaced by government-appointed trustees; others have been jailed on terrorism-related charges that international observers widely dispute.
The European Court of Human Rights has previously ruled against Turkey in politically sensitive cases, including the detention of former HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş and philanthropist Osman Kavala, calling the charges politically motivated.
Opposition Vows to Fight Back
İmamoğlu’s legal team has vowed to appeal the ruling, citing violations of free expression and due process. Supporters within CHP and other opposition circles have denounced the verdict as “a judicial coup in slow motion.”
In a statement, a CHP spokesperson said, “This verdict is not just about İmamoğlu—it’s about silencing millions who voted for change in Istanbul and beyond.”
Despite the sentence, İmamoğlu remains a potential presidential contender and one of the few opposition leaders with strong nationwide appeal.
International Response and Growing Isolation
The latest conviction adds to growing diplomatic strain between Turkey and its Western allies. EU institutions and international human rights watchdogs have long criticized Ankara for undermining rule of law, shrinking civic space, and maintaining tight control over the press and judiciary.
If upheld, İmamoğlu’s sentence may become a flashpoint in Turkey’s domestic politics and further fuel accusations that the country is moving away from its constitutional commitment to pluralism and democratic governance.
