Ekrem İmamoğlu trial continues amid organized crime allegations

The 74th hearing of the trial involving suspended Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has commenced. The case, which alleges the existence of a criminal organization, names İmamoğlu as the alleged leader, with several others identified as managers. The indictment claims the organization's activities since 2014 resulted in public losses totaling approximately 160 billion lira, 24 million dollars, and 95 real estate properties across Turkey.

Dilek İmamoğlu, wife of the detained mayor, issued a statement addressed to Justice Minister Akın Gürlek regarding the ongoing legal proceedings. She criticized the reliance on statements and rumors rather than concrete evidence, noting that the detention has lasted 18 months. She called for a fair, impartial, and non-custodial trial, emphasizing that the right to a defense and the presumption of innocence must be upheld.