The ongoing prosecution of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the former Mayor of Istanbul and a leading opposition figure, has become a major test of the rule of law, judicial independence and democratic standards in Türkiye. İmamoğlu was detained on 19 March 2025 and has remained in pre-trial detention while facing extensive criminal allegations. His trial began on 9 March 2026 and involves more than 400 defendants. The prosecution includes allegations relating to corruption, fraud and organised crime, which İmamoğlu and his supporters reject as politically motivated.
A recent detailed report by The Guardian describes the atmosphere surrounding the proceedings and the significant difficulties experienced by defendants, lawyers, journalists and observers. İmamoğlu himself described the process as having become “a form of torture”, highlighting the prolonged detention of defendants, the impact on their families and the uncertainty surrounding a case that could continue for years. The trial is being conducted at the Marmara prison and courthouse complex in Silivri, creating additional concerns regarding public access and transparency.
Human Rights Watch has raised serious concerns about restrictions imposed on lawyers, journalists and members of the public seeking to observe the proceedings. It has argued that public access to court proceedings is an essential element of a fair and transparent justice system, particularly where elected officials and matters of major public interest are concerned. HRW has also characterised the wider prosecution of İmamoğlu and other party officials as raising substantial concerns about the misuse of the criminal justice system for political purposes.
Amnesty International has similarly identified serious fair-trial and rule-of-law concerns. It highlighted the exceptionally large indictment, the enormous volume of evidence and the extensive number of charges, arguing that these circumstances can make it extremely difficult for defendants and their legal representatives to prepare and present an effective defence. Amnesty has also raised concerns about reliance on secret witness testimony and the overall political context surrounding the prosecution.
The case has now also reached the European Court of Human Rights. In April 2026, the Court formally notified the Government of Türkiye of the application İmamoğlu v. Türkiye concerning his pre-trial detention. The notification concerns allegations connected with his detention and the criminal proceedings against him. While notification does not constitute a finding of a violation, the Court’s involvement demonstrates the international human-rights significance of the case.
European institutions have also expressed concern. In July 2026, representatives of the European Committee of the Regions and the European Parliament described the proceedings against İmamoğlu as a matter of profound significance for Turkish democracy and regional stability, particularly given his status as an elected mayor and leading opposition figure.
The central issue is not whether allegations of corruption should be investigated. Public officials must be subject to lawful and independent investigation where credible evidence exists. The fundamental concern is whether criminal proceedings are conducted independently, impartially, transparently and in accordance with internationally recognised fair-trial guarantees.
The combination of prolonged pre-trial detention, restrictions on public and media access, the extraordinary scale of the prosecution and the broader pattern of proceedings against opposition figures raises legitimate concerns regarding judicial independence, equality before the law and the right to participate freely in public affairs.
Rights Defenders Initiative (RDI) calls upon the Government of Türkiye and all relevant judicial authorities to ensure that the proceedings against Ekrem İmamoğlu and all other defendants comply fully with Türkiye’s obligations under international human rights law, including the right to a fair and public hearing, judicial independence, equality before the law, the presumption of innocence and the right to an effective defence. RDI further calls on Türkiye to respect its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and other international agreements to which it is a party, and to cooperate fully with international and European human-rights mechanisms. RDI urges governments, international organisations and democratic institutions to closely monitor the proceedings and to use appropriate diplomatic and legal channels to encourage Türkiye to uphold its international commitments. International engagement must remain focused on the protection of fundamental rights, democratic institutions, judicial independence and the rule of law, without political discrimination
References:
2. https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/23/turkiye-impeded-access-to-mayors-trial
4. https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-249870%22]}
5. https://www.cor.europa.eu/en/news/statement-court-proceedings-against-istanbul-mayor-ekrem-imamoglu