(11 Apr 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Silivri, Turkey – 11 April 2025
1. Various of gendarmerie and supporters of arrested Istanbul’s mayor, near prison complex where trial took place UPSOUND music “Everything will be great”
2. Supporters of Ekrem Imamoglu holding aloft his photos as they listen to speaker
3. Mid of supporters clapping
4. SOUNDBITE (Turkish) Ulvi Sipal, 76, pensioner and opposition supporter:
"Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested on corruption charges however there’s no such thing as corruption. Baris Terkoglu (a Turkish journalist, writer) and two other journalists who were arrested, explained the corruption charges and proved that (the charges) were unjust."
5. Various of supporters walking
6. Various exteriors of prison complex
7. Wide of Turkish flag
8. Various of gendarmerie and checkpoint near prison
STORYLINE:
Hundreds of supporters of Istanbul’s jailed opposition mayor gathered outside Silivri prison on Friday as his trial took place within — one of multiple cases against him.
Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has been held at Silivri, west of Istanbul, since March 23.
The case alleges that Imamoglu threatened a public prosecutor and is one of six that predate his arrest last month, which led to nationwide protests.
Addressing the judge, Imamoglu said he was in court because he had won three elections against the person “who thinks he owns Istanbul,” a reference to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who launched his political career as the city’s mayor in the 1990s.
Erdogan was heavily involved in backing his party’s candidates against Imamoglu.
The hearing was attended by Imamoglu’s wife and son, as well as lawmakers from the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, Halk TV and other outlets reported.
The case was adjourned to June 16.
Outside the prison, hundreds listened to speakers, and music as they rallied to show their support for Imamoglu.
The mayor, who is also the main opposition challenger to Erdogan’s 22-year rule at the next election, faces up to seven years, four months imprisonment and a political ban for allegedly “targeting, threatening and insulting persons working in the fight against terrorism.”
The charge stems from comments he made on Jan. 20 in which he criticized Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akin Gurlek over criminal cases brought against other opposition figures.
Imamoglu was arrested on March 19 in relation to two investigations, one focusing on corruption in the Istanbul municipality and another allegedly terrorism links in his party’s electoral pact with pro-Kurdish politicians.
Demonstrations calling for his release and an end to Turkey’s democratic backsliding under Erdogan led to some 2,000 people being detained for attending protests banned by the authorities.
The mayor was officially nominated as the CHP presidential candidate while in custody.
An election is due to be held in 2028 but may come sooner and Imamoglu’s imprisonment has been widely viewed as politically motivated although the government insists Turkey’s judiciary is independent and free of political influence.
Also Friday, two other courts in Istanbul were also holding hearings on cases against Imamoglu.
AP video by Mehmet Guzel and Francisco Seco
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