IMM indictment receives extensive coverage in world press: 'The judiciary has become a tool of politics'

The indictment prepared against the CHP's imprisoned presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, which demands a prison sentence of up to 2,352 years, has received extensive coverage in the international press.

Leading global publications have interpreted this case as a major test for Turkey regarding its democratic standards, rule of law principles, and electoral competition.

The fact that the indictment consists of more than 3,000 pages and 142 separate charges has strengthened assessments that this could be part of a large-scale political operation. The reports also emphasized that İmamoğlu is seen as the “strongest political rival” to AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

BBC NEWS: “EXTRAORDINARILY WIDE-RANGING POLITICAL INVESTIGATION”

The BBC described the prepared indictment as “one of the most wide-ranging political investigations of recent years.” The report stated that İmamoğlu will be tried on 142 separate charges and that his arrest has triggered “the largest wave of protests in the last decade.”

The broadcast also gave extensive coverage to statements from the CHP leadership, such as “This process is not legal, it is entirely political.”

FINANCIAL TIMES: “UNPRECEDENTED SENTENCE DEMAND”

The Financial Times (FT) assessed the indictment as “a process aimed at completely excluding İmamoğlu from politics.”

While the newspaper wrote that it found the allegation of 160 billion TL in public damages contained in the file to be extraordinary, it also recalled the protests that took place following the arrest in March and the Central Bank’s interventions to support the lira.

According to the FT, the case could have long-term consequences for Turkey’s political stability and investment security.

BLOOMBERG: “MARKETS SHAKEN, RISK PERCEPTION INCREASED”

Bloomberg addressed the case through its economic impacts.

The report stated that following the announcement of the indictment, there were sharp declines on Borsa Istanbul and an increase in 10-year bond yields, and that this situation has heightened foreign investors' concerns regarding legal predictability.

Bloomberg also expressed that the case could affect leadership balances within the CHP and İmamoğlu’s potential role in the 2028 elections.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: “THE JUDICIARY HAS BECOME A TOOL OF POLITICS”

The New York Times (NYT) interpreted the indictment as “a new example of Erdoğan consolidating his influence over the judiciary.”

The report stated that the prosecution defined İmamoğlu as an “organization leader” and used the analogy of a “structure enveloping the city.”

The NYT also drew attention to the strategic and symbolic importance of Istanbul for Erdoğan, writing that İmamoğlu’s successes in the 2019 and 2024 elections represent a “psychological threshold” for the ruling power.

DER SPIEGEL: “A STAGED, FABRICATED CASE”

Der Spiegel, one of Germany’s leading magazines, characterized the indictment as “inszeniert,” meaning “staged/fabricated.”

The report stated that the accusations give the appearance of a “disorganized, inconsistent file fueled by political concerns.”

The magazine also included the words of İmamoğlu’s lawyer: “This case is fueled by fear; that fear is the possibility of İmamoğlu defeating Erdoğan.” It was also recalled that widespread protests took place across the country following the arrest.

News Source: 12punto