An Istanbul court on Tuesday accepted a far-reaching indictment against 407 suspects—among them former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu—paving the way for one of the largest political and criminal trials in modern Turkish history.

İmamoğlu now faces a possible sentence exceeding 2,000 years on charges ranging from bribery and fraud to leading an organized crime network.

The 40th High Criminal Court of Istanbul confirmed that it had accepted the indictment submitted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office after months of investigation into what authorities describe as the “İmamoğlu profit-oriented criminal organization.” A hearing date is expected to be announced in the coming days.

İmamoğlu—widely regarded as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s most prominent political rival—was removed from office and detained in March along with more than 100 others. He denies all allegations.

Prosecutors Detail 10-Year Criminal Scheme

According to the indictment, the alleged network operated for a decade, causing a financial loss of 160 billion Turkish lira (approximately $3.79 billion) and an additional $24 million to the public sector. Investigators identified 95 immovable properties potentially linked to the scheme, though officials note that the financial assessments do not reflect current real-estate market values.

Prosecutors accuse İmamoğlu of an extensive array of offenses, including establishing and leading a criminal organization, bribery and receiving bribes, embezzlement, rigging public tenders, fraud against public institutions, and laundering criminal proceeds.

The indictment further alleges that he recorded and disseminated personal data, destroyed or concealed criminal evidence, deliberately spread misleading information, and obstructed communication.

Additionally, İmamoğlu is accused of committing environmental violations and breaching the Tax Procedure Law, the Forestry Law, and the Mining Law.

The prosecution is seeking a sentence of 849 to 2,430 years and six months for the former mayor.

The Interior Ministry’s Civil Inspection Board is listed as the complainant in the case, while multiple ministries and municipal bodies—including the Treasury and Finance Ministry, Energy Ministry, Agriculture and Forestry Ministry, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, and Şişli Municipality—are named as harmed parties.

Additional Charges Against Senior Associates

The indictment also outlines extensive accusations against several prominent co-defendants, detailing a sweeping network of alleged corruption and criminal activity.

Fatih Keleş faces an extraordinary list of charges, including 48 counts of bribery, 55 counts of tender rigging, 39 counts of institutional fraud, and additional offenses, with prosecutors seeking between 556 and 1,542 years in prison.

Murat Ongun, a high-profile figure and former spokesperson for İmamoğlu, is accused of bribery, 53 counts of tender manipulation, 33 counts of institutional fraud, and multiple data and financial crimes, for which prosecutors request a sentence ranging from 287 to 779 years.

Ertan Yıldız is charged with bribery, tender rigging, and public-sector fraud, facing a sought penalty of 86 to 251 years.

Adem Soytekin stands accused of aggravated bribery, embezzlement, and money laundering, with prosecutors demanding 67 to 194 years.

Murat Gülibrahimoğlu, identified as a fugitive abroad, faces 19 to 51 years in prison on charges including fraud, forgery, money laundering, and environmental and tax violations.

Meanwhile, Hüseyin Gün is charged with organizing a criminal group and the misuse of personal data, with a requested sentence ranging from 20 to 40 years.

The indictment claims that massive amounts of personal data belonging to millions of Istanbul residents were sent to Germany and the United States under İmamoğlu’s administration.

Prosecutors Seek Extra Penalties for Alleged Organization Leaders

The document states that Ongun, Gülibrahimoğlu, Soytekin, Yıldız, and Gün should also be sentenced under Turkish Penal Code Articles 220/1 and 53/1, which pertain to establishing a criminal organization and loss of certain civic rights. As alleged leaders, prosecutors argue they should also be held responsible for all crimes committed by the group under Article 220/5.

However, prosecutors note that Soytekin, Gün, and Yıldız provided significant information regarding the network following their arrests. They are therefore eligible for reduced sentences under Article 221/4, which allows for leniency in cases of effective remorse.

Next Steps

With the court’s acceptance of the indictment, Türkiye now prepares for a landmark trial expected to draw intense domestic and international attention due to İmamoğlu’s political stature and the unprecedented length of the sentences sought. (ILKHA)