Thousands Rally in Support of Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu Amid New Investigations

Thousands of supporters gathered outside the Caglayan courthouse to protest legal actions against Imamoglu, a potential future leader of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and a prospective challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Imamoglu spent two hours testifying before prosecutors concerning remarks he made about a chief prosecutor and an expert witness in court.

Critics assert that these investigations aim to eliminate him from the political arena. He has already been convicted for insulting members of Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council, facing possible political disqualification if his 2022 conviction is confirmed by an appellate court.

Additionally, he stands trial over alleged bid-rigging during a 2015 tender process. Tensions rose further when riot police prevented a CHP bus from reaching the courthouse, resulting in clashes where authorities used tear gas; it remains unclear whether any arrests occurred.

Later addressing crowds atop another location with their campaign vehicle nearby said: “Unfortunately this represents attempts at orchestrating conspiracies targeting Istanbul.”

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