Expert witness investigation into İmamoğlu: Details of the indictment revealed

Details of the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu have been revealed.

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office took action due to statements made by İmamoğlu during a press conference titled "The Big Radish," held on January 27, 2025, following the arrest of Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat.

The Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, which is conducting the investigation, prepared the indictment on the grounds that the statements İmamoğlu made at the press conference constituted an attempt to influence the judiciary.

ACCUSED OF TARGETING AN EXPERT WITNESS

During the aforementioned press conference, İmamoğlu had announced that an individual identified as "S.B." had been appointed as an expert witness for five major investigations being conducted into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

According to the indictment, it is alleged that following these statements by İmamoğlu, negative comments were made about the expert witness S.B. in media outlets and on social media platforms, and that the individual was made a target.

In their statement to the prosecutor's office, the expert witness S.B. stated that they had not signed off on any unlawful actions and expressed that they were filing a complaint against İmamoğlu.

UP TO 4 YEARS IN PRISON SOUGHT FOR İMAMOĞLU

In the 5-page indictment, it is requested that İmamoğlu be sentenced to up to 4 years in prison for the crime of "attempting to influence a judicial officer, expert witness, or witness."

The indictment included the following claims:

That with his statements at the press conference, İmamoğlu aimed to create a perception that judicial bodies were not independent or impartial,

That by disclosing the name of the expert witness, he attempted to create public pressure,

And that he attempted to influence judicial processes by using the authority granted by his position.

At the conclusion of the indictment, it is alleged that İmamoğlu used the influence afforded by his position to exert pressure on members of the judiciary and aimed to create public opinion in favor of his party.

COURT PROCESS AWAITED

The indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has been sent to the Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance. If the court accepts the indictment, it will set a date for İmamoğlu to appear before a judge.