Istanbul court releases nine defendants in corruption case linked to Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu

Turkey's Istanbul 40th Heavy Penal Court continued the 41st hearing of the corruption and bribery case alleged against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality officials and businessman Ekrem İmamoğlu's network. The prosecution requested that all 72 detained suspects remain in custody, but the court decided to release nine of them.

The released individuals include Seza Büyükçulha, Ahmet Şahin, Cevat Kaya, Iraz Bayrak, Orhan Gazi Erdoğan, Gökhan Köseoğlu, Mustafa Keleş, Engin Ulusoy and Hakan Aplak. After the releases, the number of detainees fell to 68 and the trial was adjourned to 1 June for further proceedings.