Ekrem İmamoğlu's Istanbul Trial Extends Amid Court Relocation and Defense Delays

Istanbul Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu continues to face a corruption trial tied to the Istanbul Municipality (İBB) case. On 2 July 2026 the court scheduled his defence, and on 6 July he was ordered to appear for defence in two separate cases on the same day. He later noted that a third court also required his defence on 6 July, prompting criticism that three simultaneous hearings violate basic procedural fairness.

The trial was abruptly transferred from the 40th Heavy Penal Court to the 33rd Heavy Penal Court, a move criticised by opposition politicians as undermining judicial oversight. The court president explained that the change only altered the court’s designation, not its composition.

Media company board chairman Murat Ongun, also detained in the case, gave testimony. He denied giving any instruction for the “Istanbul Flower” auction, confirmed earning a monthly salary of about 82,000 TL as an Istanbul mayoral adviser and a “huzur hakkı” of roughly 110,000 TL as board chair, and evaded questions on the rent of his Acarkent villa, stating the enquiry was unrelated to the charges.

Throughout the proceedings, Ongun raised concerns about alleged double standards, claimed influence from political figures, and questioned why certain individuals were excluded from the investigation. The trial has entered its 60th hearing, with defence arguments continuing amid procedural disputes.