Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu, Erdogan rival, gets jail term for ‘threatening' prosecutor
The case is one of a number lined up against Mr. Imamoglu, the main rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is already being held over an investigation into alleged corruption.
His arrest in March as part of that case triggered Turkiye's worst street protests in more than a decade.
Wednesday's (July 16, 2025) hearing was held at Silivri court and prison complex on the western outskirts of Istanbul, where Mr. Imamoglu has been held since his arrest.
The court handed him a jail term of one year, five months and 15 days for having insulted a civil servant and two months and 15 days for threats, the court document showed.
Mr. Imamoglu, who appeared in court, has denied all the allegations, arguing that he was being targeted because of his plans to challenge Erdogan in the 2028 presidential elections.
The prosecutor had initially called for Mr. Imamoglu to face up to seven years and four months behind bars, and to be banned from holding political office.
On Wednesday (July 16, 2025), that ban — which is handed down when the suspect gets a minimum two-year jail term — was not applied.
Mr. Imamoglu was elected Istanbul Mayor in 2019 and re-elected in 2024. He was arrested on March 19 in connection with a graft probe and allegations of terror ties.
The string of charges against him could prevent him taking part in the next presidential race.
His arrest sparked demonstrations across the country in the worst street unrest since the 2013 Gezi Park protests, which spread across Turkiye and were brutally suppressed by police.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
‘Flagrant Violation': Thailand Accuses Cambodia Of Breaking Newly Brokered Truce
Thai foreign ministry says Cambodian troops launched overnight grenade and small arms assault just hours after ceasefire, showing 'apparent lack of good faith' Thailand on Wednesday accused Cambodia of breaching the newly brokered truce, saying its troops in Sisaket province came under attack overnight in an assault involving small arms and grenades. 'This represents a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement," Thailand's foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that the attack continued into Wednesday morning. 'Such act of aggression constitutes once again a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement by Cambodian forces and their apparent lack of good faith." The offensive reportedly continued into Wednesday morning, just hours after both sides agreed to a ceasefire starting Tuesday, following five days of intense clashes. Despite the overnight incident, Thai government spokesman Jirayu Huangsab said in a statement that 'the Thai side maintained control of the situation" and 'general conditions along the border are reported to be normal" from 8 am local time. An AFP journalist on the Cambodian side, who had been hearing a steady drumbeat of artillery since last Thursday, reported no blasts between the start of the truce and Wednesday morning. The ceasefire, announced on Tuesday after five days of intense border clashes, followed talks between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The truce was reportedly unconditional and aimed to halt the violence that had already killed at least 43 people on both sides and displaced more than 300,000. The agreement was backed by regional and international diplomacy, with Malaysian Premier Anwar Ibrahim playing a key mediating role. US President Donald Trump also claimed credit for helping bring about the ceasefire. Initial Claims From Both Sides Denied Any Breach On Tuesday, a spokesperson from the Thai military said its army had held discussions with Cambodian counterparts. Phumtham also said that 'there is no escalation," while Cambodia's defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata maintained that there had been 'no armed clashes against each other in any regions." Decades-Old Temple Row Behind Renewed Violence The ongoing conflict stems from a long-standing territorial dispute that worsened in 2008 when Cambodia attempted to register an 11th-century temple in the disputed zone as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sparking sharp protests from Thailand. Since then, clashes have occurred sporadically, claiming lives on both sides. Tensions reached a new low in May, with both countries imposing border restrictions. Cambodia banned Thai imports, including fruits, vegetables, electricity, and internet services. Both sides have also increased troop deployments along the 800-kilometre frontier in recent weeks. The recent flare-up, which began last Thursday, involved jets, rockets, and heavy artillery fire. view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 09:04 IST News world 'Flagrant Violation': Thailand Accuses Cambodia Of Breaking Newly Brokered Truce Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Manoj Tiwary corners BCCI after India vs Pakistan scheduled in Asia Cup: 'PM Modi said Operation Sindoor is still on'
A contentious call was made by cricket's governing bodies to schedule an Asia Cup tournament in the wake of the violence along the India-Pakistan border. The upcoming tournament, slated to take place between September 9 and September 28, will be held in the UAE, with the official release of the schedule marking September 14 as the date for the India-Pakistan clash. Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shaheen Afridi in action during the previous edition of the Asia Cup.(AFP) Many expected this match, if not the whole tournament, to be scratched off in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attacks in March, and the military response that followed from both sides. The cricketing boards and the Asian Cricket Council have come under further criticism for scheduling this match given the friction behind it. Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary, who now serves as a minister of state in West Bengal, came out in open criticism of the decision to hold this match. In an interview with ANI, the former batter made clear that the cricket match shouldn't go ahead. "I am against it. The India-Pakistan match should not be held. Especially after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in which civilians have been killed. After that, Operation Sindoor has taken place,' said Tiwary, citing India's military response to the attacks which included aerial targeting of military and terrorist camps inside Pakistan. 'Our Prime Minister is saying…' "The situation was so bad, how can we think of an India-Pakistan match. I feel that it should be considered again and the India-Pakistan match should not happen in such an environment,' continued the former Bengal batter. "Our Prime Minister is saying that the Operation Sindoor is still going on… How can we play a match with Pakistan?' Tiwary's comments follow from a last-minute cancellation of the match between legends from India and Pakistan in the ongoing World Championship of Legends taking place in the UK, which was called off after players such as Harbhajan Singh and the Pathan brothers made themselves unavailable, citing their unwillingness to play against Pakistan in the wake of pressure from fans at home. While the fate of this match and the Asia Cup as a whole remains uncertain and to be decided, India's desire to be accommodating and following the Olympic charter ahead of the planned bid for the 2036 Olympic Games is reportedly the reason for BCCI's agreement for the tournament to go ahead.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Sirens sound in Israel as it intercepts Huthi missile fired from Yemen
Sirens sounded in several Israeli cities, including Jerusalem, on Tuesday as the military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, with Huthi rebels later claiming the attack. Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels have launched repeated missile and drone attacks against Israel since Gaza war started in October, 2023. (Representational Photo/AFP) "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the Israeli air force", the military said in a statement. The Huthis later claimed the attack, saying they had fired a missile at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv. Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels have launched repeated missile and drone attacks against Israel since their Palestinian ally Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel sparked the Gaza war. The Huthis, who say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians, paused their attacks during a two-month ceasefire in Gaza that ended in March, but renewed them after Israel resumed major operations. Israel has carried out several retaliatory strikes in Yemen, targeting Huthi-held ports and the airport in the rebel-held capital Sanaa.
