Erdogan hosts NATO as rival Imamoglu faces court

Erdogan hosts NATO summit as rival Imamoglu faces court in Turkey

10 reported

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted NATO leaders in Ankara on Wednesday, while his main political rival, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, defended himself against corruption charges in court. Imamoglu, who represents the Republican People’s Party (CHP), was arrested in March 2025. Hundreds of party members and officials have been detained over the past two years in a crackdown critics say is designed to cripple Turkey’s largest opposition group. The government maintains that Turkey’s judicial system is independent and free of political interference. Wednesday’s hearing was for the largest case Imamoglu faces, alleging he led a criminal organization involved in widespread corruption. He faces 142 charges, including establishing what the prosecution called the “Imamoglu criminal organization for profit” from 2015. If convicted, he could face a total prison sentence exceeding 2,000 years.

What’s reported

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted NATO leaders in Ankara on Wednesday.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, his main political rival, defended himself against corruption charges in court on the same day.

Imamoglu was arrested in March 2025; hundreds of CHP members and officials have been detained over the past two years.

Critics say the crackdown is designed to cripple Turkey’s largest opposition group; the government says the judiciary is independent.

Imamoglu faces 142 charges, including leading a criminal organization for profit from 2015.

The 3,900-page indictment alleges bid rigging and payoffs to benefit Imamoglu and 413 co-defendants, and to finance his rise within the CHP.

If convicted, Imamoglu could face a prison sentence exceeding 2,000 years.

The court declared submissions will finish on Thursday, giving Imamoglu one day to present his defense.

A fresh criminal investigation was announced for “threatening a public official” based on his courtroom comments.

On Monday, three separate cases against Imamoglu had hearings on the same day, which the European Parliament rapporteur for Turkey called “statistically impossible” given the NATO summit timing.