Council of Europe warns Turkey over fair‑trial rights in Istanbul mayor’s case

European Council (Council of Europe) Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty issued a written statement expressing deep concern over the criminal prosecutions of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and more than 400 co‑defendants. He noted that 53 of the accused are being tried while in detention.

O'Flaherty said defendants face restricted access to files and evidence, undermining their ability to prepare a defence, and that scheduling three separate trials on 6 July forced simultaneous hearings, hindering İmamoğlu’s lawyers. He called on Turkish authorities to ensure compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights – guaranteeing the right to a fair trial, judicial independence, the presumption of innocence and limiting pre‑trial detention to exceptional cases.