72nd hearing opens in Istanbul trial of 414 defendants, including Imamoglu

August 31, 2026 at 01:36 PM2 min

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The 72nd hearing in the trial of 414 defendants, including suspended Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, opened on August 31, 2026, at the Istanbul 33rd Heavy Penal Court. The court began taking release requests from detained defendants and their lawyers as part of the monthly detention review. Imamoglu faces up to 2,430 years and 6 months in prison on charges including forming a criminal organization, bribery, and fraud.

Key Facts

The trial involves 414 defendants, 53 of whom are detained, including suspended Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
The indictment alleges public damages of approximately 160 billion lira and 24 million dollars, plus 95 properties in Istanbul and nationwide.
Imamoglu is accused of leading the organization, with six other defendants named as managers, and faces up to 2,430 years and 6 months in prison.
The hearing is being held at the hall opposite Marmara Closed Penal Institution, with some detained defendants, released defendants, lawyers, and relatives attending.

Hearing Proceedings

The 72nd hearing began at the Istanbul 33rd Heavy Penal Court in the hall opposite Marmara Closed Penal Institution. Detained defendants, including suspended Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, attended the hearing. Some released defendants and lawyers also attended, with relatives of the defendants present as observers. The court is currently taking release requests from detained defendants and their lawyers as part of the monthly detention review.

Indictment Details

The indictment was prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Organized Crime Investigation Bureau. The Civil Inspection Board is listed as the complainant, while several ministries and municipal administrations are listed as injured parties. The indictment names 407 defendants, including 16 complainants, 7 fugitives, and 5 complainant-defendants. It alleges public damages of approximately 160 billion lira and 24 million dollars in movable assets, plus 95 properties in Istanbul and nationwide.

Organization Structure

The indictment's organization chart names Ekrem Imamoglu as the leader of the organization. Six other defendants, including Murat Ongun, Fatih Keleş, Adem Soytekin, Ertan Yıldız, Hüseyin Gün, and fugitive Murat Gülibrahimoğlu, are named as managers. The chart shows 10 organization members directly subordinate to Imamoglu, with 77 members under Fatih Keleş and 35 under Murat Ongun. Imamoglu faces charges including forming a criminal organization, bribery, fraud, and money laundering, with a possible sentence of up to 2,430 years and 6 months.