Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu faces criminal‑organization trial

The 52nd hearing of the case alleging that Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu heads a criminal organization was held at the Istanbul 40th Heavy Penal Court. Defendants included Buğra Gökçe, head of the Istanbul Planning Agency, who denied any wrongdoing, and Metin Bal, head of the Culture Agency’s Planning and Organization Department, who asserted that he never handled advertising contracts and was not involved in alleged bid rigging. Both argued that the indictment mischaracterized their titles and responsibilities. Another detained defendant, Ramazan Gülten, director of the Istanbul Municipality’s Planning and Urban Development Department, also denied receiving illegal instructions or using public authority for private gain, questioning the credibility of secret witness statements. The court postponed further proceedings to allow continued examination of the defendants’ monthly detention status. The trial continues amid ongoing political scrutiny of İmamoğlu’s administration.