Just under a year after being arrested and imprisoned at Silivri prison in the west of İstanbul, İmamoğlu appeared in good spirits when he arrived in court on Monday to face around 140 charges including leading a criminal organisation for profit and bribery.
Entering the court, İmamoğlu raised his hand and greeted the public, lawyers and other defendants to which they clapped, whistled and waved back.
As the trial began the suspended Mayor, the chief suspect, asked the judge to speak before the trial started which was labelled a 'disrespectful protest' by the judge. This prompted an outcry from the public gallery which was cleared until after a recess.
Authorities had banned all protests within a 1km radius of the courtroom prompting supporters of the defendant to gather at a distance.
His wife Dilek and his CHP party leader Özgür Özel were sitting side-by-side during the opening day. Speaking to reporters before the hearing, Dilek said "We are nervous and anxious... we hope that they move to trial without detention. I last saw Ekrem last week, and he was in very good spirits".
İmamoğlu's arrest in March 2025 started a wave of protests across the country as many saw the action as a way of President Erdoğan removing a rival for the next Presidental election.
Shortly after, and days before he was picked as CHP's candidate for the presidential elections, İstanbul University cancelled İmamoğlu's university degree citing irregularities and claiming he falsely obtained it.
Under Turkish law, a university degree is required for any candidate running to be President. In January, a court rejected İmamoğlu's lawsuit challenging the cancellation of his degree.
Crackdown of the opposition is seen by many as President Erdoğan tightening his grip on power. He has led Türkiye since 2003 as both Prime Minister and President. Under the current constitution, he is not eligible for a third term as President if the election holds in 2028 as scheduled.
Rights groups and foreign observers say the crackdown is undermining the democratic credentials of Türkiye and undermining free and fair elections.
Last month (February 2026), İmamoğlu called for elections to be held immediately.
Erdoğan himself was arrested and removed as Mayor of İstanbul 4 years into his term, in 1998.
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