The trial over corruption allegations at the Istanbul Municipality — a case expected to last for years — begins March 9, with 402 defendants, including 105 under arrest, among them Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
İmamoğlu has been in jail for almost a year since his March 19 arrest. This will be his first time before a judge in relation to this set of charges. The indictment was completed on Nov. 11, and prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of up to 2,430 years for İmamoğlu.
The hearings, to be held at the Silivri Prison complex, are planned to continue for five days in the first week, three days in the following week, and five days in the next week, as well as during the final two days of the month.
RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRIAL
For the first hearing, the court imposed restrictions on the press, lawyers and observers, citing the large number of defendants, the scope of the case and security concerns.
Accordingly, entry cards will be issued to those permitted to enter the courtroom. Only 25 journalists — five from international media — will be allowed to cover the case.
Each defendant will be allowed only one first-degree relative in the courtroom and may be represented by a maximum of three lawyers.
NO OBLIGATION FOR MPS
The CHP parliamentary group has not made attendance at the hearings mandatory for its deputies but they can volunteer to attend.
The CHP will establish an area in front of the courtrooms inside the prison complex. The space — to be used by lawyers, citizens attending the hearings and journalists — will be called the “Silivri Solidarity Center.”
CHP Chair Özgür Özel said Feb. 18 that the government might try to postpone the case because a new and larger courtroom in Silivri is still under construction. So far, however, there are no signs of a postponement and the court is scheduled for a March 9 start.
