İmamoğlu detained! Past cases back on the agenda: How many investigations have been launched against him?

The number of suspects detained as part of the investigations conducted into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) has risen to 84. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that it is conducting an investigation into İmamoğlu and 99 suspects on charges of "being a leader of a criminal organization, extortion, bribery, fraud, unlawfully obtaining personal data, and bid-rigging."

Furthermore, it was stated that a separate investigation has been opened against Ekrem İmamoğlu, İBB Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat, Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, and 7 others on charges of "aiding the PKK/KCK terrorist organization."

Among those detained are İmamoğlu's advisor Murat Ongun, Beylikdüzü Mayor Murat Çalık, and singer Ercan Saatçi. Efforts to apprehend 22 other individuals as part of the operation are ongoing.

CASES AND INVESTIGATIONS OPENED AGAINST İMAMOĞLU

The detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu has brought his previous cases back to the agenda. Here are the significant cases and investigations conducted against İmamoğlu:

1. The YSK members insult case: The 'Fool case'

In a statement made on November 4, 2019, İmamoğlu said, "Those who canceled the election on March 31 are fools," and YSK members filed a criminal complaint due to these remarks.

The Istanbul 7th Criminal Court of First Instance sentenced İmamoğlu to 2 years, 7 months, and 15 days in prison and imposed a political ban on December 14, 2022. The decision was appealed to the appellate court. If upheld, İmamoğlu's mayorship will be terminated and his political ban will begin.

2. The Beylikdüzü tender case: Request for 3 to 7 years in prison

The case opened against İmamoğlu on the allegation of bid-rigging in a tender in 2015 during his tenure as the Mayor of Beylikdüzü is being heard at the Büyükçekmece 10th Criminal Court of First Instance.

The prosecution, claiming that the tender caused a public loss of 250 thousand TL, requested a prison sentence of 3 to 7 years for İmamoğlu.

The last hearing was held on May 31, 2024. The court decided to obtain a report from a new expert panel due to inconsistencies between the expert reports.

3. Irregular spending investigation: 5 billion TL allegation

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into allegations of irregular spending in artistic events organized by the Istanbul and Ankara Metropolitan Municipalities.

AKP municipal council member Meryem Karaköse claimed that the budget allocated for the organizations exceeded 5 billion TL. It was reported that the investigation, conducted in coordination with Ministry of Interior inspectors, has been expanded to include the Beykoz Municipality.

Reacting to these allegations, İmamoğlu stated, "This process is entirely a political judicial harassment."

4. Statements regarding Akın Gürlek: Request for up to 7 years and 4 months in prison

A new investigation was opened against İmamoğlu on the allegation that he targeted Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek in a speech he gave at a panel on January 20, 2025.

The prosecution requested a prison sentence of up to 7 years and 4 months for Ekrem İmamoğlu on charges of "threatening and targeting individuals serving in the fight against terrorism."

In the indictment, Chief Public Prosecutor Gürlek was included as the "victim."

5. İmamoğlu's diploma was canceled

Istanbul University canceled İmamoğlu's undergraduate diploma following an examination conducted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has also launched a new investigation regarding İmamoğlu's university diploma. The cancellation of the diploma is considered a critical development for İmamoğlu's political future.