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Istanbul Issues 142-Count Indictment Accusing Mayor Imamoglu of Leading Criminal Network

Opposition leaders denounce the sprawling dossier as political interference in Turkey's electoral landscape.

Overview

  • The nearly 4,000-page indictment lists fraud, money laundering and bid rigging among 142 charges and portrays Ekrem Imamoglu as the head of a 402-person organization.
  • Prosecutors allege roughly 160 billion lira in losses to the state over a decade and say cumulative penalties could reach about 2,430 years in prison, according to state media.
  • The file has been sent to an Istanbul court for approval before trial dates are set, and proceedings are expected at the Silivri prison court where Imamoglu remains in detention.
  • The dossier claims the network aimed to seize control of the CHP and generate funds for a presidential bid, and prosecutors indicated plans to pursue the CHP for alleged constitutional violations involving electoral lists.
  • Imamoglu rejects all accusations as the CHP and opposition outlets question the evidence, citing heavy reliance on anonymous or cooperating witnesses and tentative testimony language.