
Erdoğan rival given prison term for threatening Istanbul prosecutor
The case is one of a number lined up against İmamoğlu, the main rival of the country's president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He is already being held over an investigation into alleged corruption.
His arrest in March as part of that case triggered Turkey's worst street protests in more than a decade.
Wednesday's hearing was held at Silivri court and prison complex on the western outskirts of Istanbul, where İmamoğlu has been held since his arrest.
He was jailed for a year, five months and 15 days for having insulted a civil servant, and two months and 15 days for threats, the court document showed.
İmamoğlu, who appeared in court, has denied all of the allegations. He says he has been targeted because of his plans to challenge Erdoğan in the 2028 presidential elections.
The prosecutor had initially called for İmamoğlu to face up to seven years and four months behind bars, and to be banned from holding public office.
That ban, which is imposed when a suspect gets a minimum two-year jail term, was not applied.
İmamoğlu was elected Istanbul mayor in 2019 and re-elected in 2024. He was arrested on 19 March in connection with a corruption invesigation and allegations of links to terrorism.
The string of charges against him could prevent him taking part in the 2028 presidential election.
His arrest sparked demonstrations across the country in the worst unrest since the 2013 Gezi Park protests, which spread across Turkey and which police brutally suppressed.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
25 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Jailed RHOSLC star Jen Shah exercises behind bars... at the same prison holding Elizabeth Holmes and now Ghislaine Maxwell
Jen Shah was seen exercising at Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas this weekend - where she is behind bars with fellow inmates Ghislaine Maxwell and Elizabeth Holmes. The 51-year-old RHOSLC star - whose prison sentence was reduced once again back in January - spent time outdoors for a run while wearing a pair of gray shorts as well as a matching shirt. The TV personality slipped into a pair of black Nike sneakers and added a gray visor cap on top of her locks which were pulled back into a low ponytail. Back in 2023, Jen was initially sentenced to 78 months in prison for 'running a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme' which had targeted both elderly and vulnerable individuals. She had been arrested by the FBI on camera while filming the second season of RHOSLC. While she maintained her innocence at first, the reality star later pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Jen has been serving time at the minimal security prison camp located in Southern Texas since February 2023. According to the prison's official website, the facility houses a total of 635 inmates - including Theranos fraudster Elizabeth. Jen and Elizabeth have been spotted staying active together at the facility, such as in February when they were both working out in the same outdoor area. During an interview with People in February, Elizabeth had labeled her time at the Texas prison thus far as 'hell.' She stated, 'It's surreal. People who have never met me believe so strongly about me. They don't understand who I am. 'It forces you to spend a lot of time questioning belief and hoping the truth will prevail. I am walking by faith and, ultimately, the truth. But it's been hell and torture to be here.' It was reported earlier this week that Ghislaine - who was convicted in 2022 over her role in a scheme to sexual exploit and abuse multiple minor girls with Jeffrey Epstein over the course of a decade - was recently transformed to the female-only prison, per NBC. She had previously been serving her 20-year sentence at a low-security facility located in Tallahassee, Florida which held both female and male inmates. Meanwhile, Jen's sentence has been reduced multiple times. In January of this year, Jen's prison sentence was reduced for a third time to November 2026. Jen has been serving time at the minimal security prison camp located in Southern Texas since February 2023 At the time, fans offered their thoughts on the star's earlier release date with one penning on X, 'Free Jen Shah means you're upholding the United States Constitution.' Another wrote, 'The only thing the Justice System can get right,' and one added, 'Oh, so the judges reducing Jen Shah's sentence are REALLY big fans of #RHOSLC.' But two months later in March, her prison time was slashed once again and she will finish her sentence on September 19, 2026, according to Us Weekly. Both Jen and her former assistant Stuart Smith were arrested in March 2021 after being accused of fraud in a telemarketing scheme. Stuart pleaded guilty later that same year but the Real Housewives star claimed that she was innocent throughout 2022. But she also eventually pleaded guilty and began her prison sentence in February 2023. Jen was ordered to pay $6.5 million in restitution. At the time of her sentence, the star had also read out an emotional statement and expressed, 'You and the world know me as Jen Shah. 'But reality TV has nothing to do with reality, even my tagline, Shah-mazing - they wrote it. I want to speak about who I am.' But she also eventually pleaded guilty and began her six-and-a-half-year prison sentence in February 2023. Jen had also been ordered to pay $6.5 million in restitution At the time of her sentence, the star had also read out an emotional statement and expressed, 'You and the world know me as Jen Shah' The TV personality alleged that she had 'longstanding untreated mental issues' which resulted in her 'creating her own reality.' Late last year in December, Jen gave her fans an update as she served her prison sentence in Texas. Her team shared a message to her website called Dear Jen Shah to share that the star is 'doing very well' and is also focused on working on her 'personal self.' It was also added that Jen is 'focused on her journey towards positive rehabilitation' and had the chance to hold a conversation with co-star Meredith Marks on the phone. 'Jen has indeed spoken with Meredith Marks (co-star), and the conversation was extremely positive. She loves Meredith and appreciates her friendship and support during this time.' Her team continued at the time that she has been keeping busy at the facility. Jen was also seen doing other workouts during her time outdoors over the weekend 'Jen is currently focused on her next holiday beauty showcase within FPC Bryan Prison, and continues to send love to her family, fans, and friends who continuously message her in support. 'She is thankful of everyone who continues to pray and uphold her in a positive light,' the update concluded. In her most recent update, dated May 30, she said she was 'in great spirits and well' as she shared a photo of her working out. 'The consistent love and admiration from my supporters, my loving family, and my faith keeps me going as I make it through this rehabilitative journey of coming home soon. 'I wanted to share a personal image that I mailed to my team of one of my shahmazing workouts. I remain consistent in my passion for fitness and helping other inmates achieve similar goals. You will see more soon. 'I can only control what I can control.' Jen gained recognition when she began starring on RHOSLC during the first season which aired in 2020. She appeared on the Bravo series for three seasons before her prison sentence. The star also tied the knot with Sharrieff Shah in 1994 and the pair share two children Sharrieff Jr. and Omar.


The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Two more men charged over Epping migrant hotel disorder
Two men have been charged in connection with disorder outside a migrant hotel. It brings the total number of people charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after protests in Epping, Essex, to 11. Charlie Land, 23, has been charged with violent disorder and criminal damage. Luke Fleming, 21, has been charged with violent disorder. Both will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Monday. Nine others have already been charged by the CPS. Shaun Thompson, 37, is charged with violent disorder and criminal damage; Lee Gower, 43, is charged with violent disorder and assault on an emergency worker; Aaron Elles, 28, Jonathan Glover, 47, Stuart Williams, 36, and Dean Smith, 51, are charged with violent disorder; Keith Silk, 33, is charged with violent disorder and criminal damage; and Phillip Curson, 52, is charged with violent disorder. Martin Peagram, 33, has been found guilty of violent disorder. The charges came after weeks of protests outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, which is used to house asylum seekers. Demonstrations began on July 13 after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, denies sexual assault and is due to stand trial this month. Essex Police had recently put dispersal orders in place ahead of some protests, giving officers powers to direct anyone suspected of committing anti-social behaviour to leave the area. The force has also used Section 60AA orders to prevent people from wearing face coverings.


Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Brazil's Bolsonaro supporters protest against Supreme Court, President Lula
RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro, accused of plotting a coup after he lost the 2022 general election, gathered on the streets of several Brazilian cities on Sunday to protest against Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The protesters called for "amnesty" for those involved in the alleged coup attempt days after Lula's inauguration in January 2023. Far-right leader Bolsonaro did not personally attend the demonstrations, but was put on the telephone by his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, during the protest in Rio de Janeiro. The former president, who is on house arrest, wears an electronic ankle bracelet and cannot leave his home on weekends and holidays, as per an order from Justice Moraes. In March, a five-judge STF panel decided unanimously to put Bolsonaro on trial for allegedly conspiring to overthrow Lula. If found guilty in the court proceedings expected later this year, Bolsonaro could face a long prison sentence. Last month, Moraes imposed precautionary measures against Bolsonaro because he believed he and his son, Eduardo, an elected lawmaker who is now living in the U.S., had collaborated with U.S. authorities to try to interfere in Brazilian affairs. Last week, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on most Brazilian goods, citing a "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro. It also imposed financial sanctions against Moraes under the Magnitsky Act, which allows the U.S. to impose economic penalties against foreigners it considers to have a record of corruption or human rights abuses. Moraes is the reporting justice in the case in which Jair Bolsonaro is a defendant. In Sunday's protests, Bolsonaro supporters, wearing Brazilian national team jerseys, chanted "Magnitsky" and insulted Moraes and Lula. American flags and signs supporting Trump were also seen.