[REVISION HISTORY]

Verdicts and ongoing hearings in Turkish municipal trial

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2026-09-06 11:10 UTC → 2026-09-10 01:42 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The corruption and organized crime trial involving Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu continues in Silivri. The case involves 414 defendants, with 53 51 currently in custody. Prosecutors allege that the criminal organization, which they identify İmamoğlu as the leader, has caused a public loss of approximately 160 billion lira and 24 million dollars since 2014, while acquiring 95 real estate properties. Other defendants named as managers include Murat Ongun and Fatih Keleş. Recent proceedings have seen various defendants and their legal counsel submit requests for release. Mehmet Murat Çalık’s lawyer cited serious health concerns, while detained lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan commented on the ‘increasing normalization of pretrial detention’ within the Turkish judicial system. As During the ~~trial continues,~~ 78th hearing, Eyüp Subaşı, a media company owner acting as a cooperating witness, provided testimony regarding digital advertising rights. Subaşı testified that he was pressured to transfer his digital advertising assets to a firm named Reklamist under the ~~legal status~~ direction of Murat Ongun. He claimed that while an initial verbal agreement for the ~~mayor has shifted~~ transfer was set at over 75 million TL, the figure was reduced to ~~suspended. Dilek İmamoğlu, wife of~~ 46 million TL following Ongun’s intervention. Subaşı also stated that he heard the ~~detained mayor, criticized~~ term ‘system’ frequently used by advisors within the ~~proceedings for relying on ‘statements~~ administration. The hearing was marked by tension and ~~rumors rather than concrete evidence.’~~ verbal confrontations between legal teams. Parallel investigations into municipal tenders have intensified. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating allegations of bid rigging, bribery, and public loss related to İBB ~~procurement, including the presidential residence.~~ procurement. This ~~probe, triggered by Ministry of Interior inspectors and court-appointed experts,~~ probe has led to the referral of twelve suspects to the ~~judiciary. Those referred include~~ judiciary, including high-ranking officials from the Purchasing, Finance, Revenue, and Support Services ~~departments, as well as a municipal council member. Detentions include the Head of the İBB Procurement Department, Mustafa Sökmen, and several other managers. In the Silivri trial,~~ departments. As the ~~court recently ordered~~ trial continues, the ~~release~~ legal status of ~~Ali Rıza Akyüz and Serkan Öztürk, while~~ the ~~detention of 51 defendants, including İmamoğlu,~~ mayor remains ~~in effect. The next hearing is scheduled for September 7.~~ suspended.

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