İmamoğlu Trial Lockdown: Court Bans Political Observers

The high-stakes trial involving Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) President Ekrem İmamoğlu and other detained defendants has taken a dramatic turn. On the fifth day of the İmamoğlu trial at the Silivri Courthouse, the Istanbul 40th High Criminal Court issued a controversial restrictive measure, effectively barring political figures and the general public.

Citing escalating tensions in previous sessions, the court’s decision has transformed the trial into a “semi-closed” proceeding, sparking a heated debate over judicial transparency and the right to a fair trial.

İmamoğlu Trial: The “No CHP Deputies” Directive

The court formally requested a new security protocol from the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office ahead of the sixth session scheduled for March 16, 2026. The primary aim, according to the bench, is to ensure the “healthy conduct of proceedings” and to allow defendant statements to be completed without interruption.

The specific restrictions include:

• Authorized Entry Only: Only defendants, officially appointed defense lawyers, complainants, and their legal representatives will be allowed in.

• Political Ban: A direct restriction targets CHP members of parliament and party officials, who have occupied the front rows since the trial began.

• The Catalyst: The court justified this move by citing the refusal of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and several deputies to vacate the hall under an earlier “clear the room” order, which paralyzed the court’s operations.

A ‘Fortress Mentality’ in İmamoğlu Trial

The latest ban adds to an already restrictive environment at the Silivri Prison Campus. From the outset, the judiciary has enforced a “security-first” concept:

• Lawyer Quotas: Each defendant is limited to three attorneys.

• Media Quotas: A strict cap of 20 national and 5 international journalists is maintained.

• Security Presence: Intense police and gendarmerie cordons surround the Large Courtroom No. 1.

“Worse Than Ergenekon”: CHP Slams the İmamoğlu Trial Decision

The main opposition party has reacted with fury, labeling the restrictions of the İmamoğlu trial as “legal censorship.” CHP Spokesperson Zeynel Emre pointed out the irony of the situation, noting that a permanent courtroom suitable for such a large-scale case has yet to be completed.

“There isn’t a hall in this country big enough to try us,” Emre criticized. “They still haven’t finished the construction.”

Other party figures, including Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik, argued that the lack of transparency—including the rejection of a request for a live TRT broadcast—undermines the principle of public trials. Deputy Mahmut Tanal drew a historical comparison, stating that even during the controversial Ergenekon trials, such sweeping bans on observers were not implemented.

The “Try and Move Me” Standoff

The tension reached a breaking point before the fifth session could even begin. A verbal confrontation erupted between the Presiding Judge and Turan Taşkın Özer, Chairman of the CHP High Disciplinary Board.

When the judge ordered Özer to move to the spectator section, Özer reportedly responded, “I am not moving from my seat; come and move me if you can.” This act of defiance led the court to abruptly adjourn the proceedings for the day, rescheduling the session for tomorrow under the new, stricter entry rules.