Turkey opposition leader says Imamoglu trial is purely political

Prosecutors have accused Mr Ekrem Imamoglu of leading a criminal organisation for profit. Read more at straitstimes.com.

ISTANBUL – The trial of Istanbul’s jailed mayor, Mr Ekrem Imamoglu, is a purely political affair aimed at preventing him from challenging President Tayyip Erdogan in the next election, Turkey’s main opposition leader told Reuters in an interview on March 11.

Mr Imamoglu, 55, appeared in court on March 9 in the opening hearing of a sweeping corruption case involving more than 400 defendants linked to the Istanbul municipality.

Prosecutors accuse him of leading a criminal organisation for profit through tender-rigging and bribery, charges he and his Republican People’s Party (CHP) deny.

“Let me put it plainly. In Turkey, what is happening is not a trial in the normal sense of the word. It is not a legal process but a political one,” CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said.

The judges handling the case have been tasked “not with conducting a fair trial but with delivering the decision that Erdogan wants”, he said.

Mr Erdogan’s government denies influencing the judiciary and says Turkey’s courts are independent. The investigation into the Istanbul municipality was led by Mr Akin Gurlek, who in February was appointed justice minister.