Istanbul Deputy Mayor Faces Prison Demand Amid Ongoing Crackdown on CHP Officials

Prosecutors seek jail term for Nuri Aslan following İmamoğlu’s detention as public opinion remains skeptical of mayoral arrests

Turkish prosecutors have requested a prison sentence for Nuri Aslan, acting mayor of Istanbul, on charges of obstructing public duty — the latest development in an ongoing judicial campaign targeting opposition-run municipalities.

Aslan, who assumed the post after Istanbul Mayor and opposition presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained in March, faces six months to three years in prison under a newly completed indictment, according to Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office sources.

The case stems from an incident during the so-called “fourth wave” of operations against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) officials in late May. Aslan reportedly attempted to enter Istanbul’s Çağlayan Courthouse to meet relatives of detained municipal employees but was stopped by security personnel. After insisting that the barriers be lifted, he passed through to the corridors, leading to a brief confrontation.

Prosecutors accused Aslan of “resisting the execution of duty.” If the court accepts the indictment, a trial date will be set in the coming weeks.

Broader crackdown on opposition mayors

The move marks the latest in a string of legal actions against CHP mayors and local administrators across Turkey. İmamoğlu was detained on March 19 in what authorities described as an anti-corruption operation involving municipal tenders. His arrest sparked widespread protests and international criticism, with opposition figures accusing the government of politically motivated prosecutions ahead of the 2026 general elections.

In the same operation, 25 İBB officials were placed in pretrial detention, while 21 others were released under judicial control orders.

The wave of arrests follows similar operations in Ankara, Adana, and İzmir — all cities governed by the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). The Interior Ministry has stated that the cases are based on corruption and abuse-of-office allegations, while CHP leaders have denounced them as part of an orchestrated effort to weaken the party’s local base.

Public opinion divided but increasingly skeptical

Recent polling suggests that most Turkish voters remain unconvinced by the government’s explanation. According to Metropoll and Konda surveys conducted in May and June, more than 50% of respondents view the detentions of CHP mayors as politically motivated, while only around 18% consider them legitimate judicial actions.

Support for İmamoğlu — who remains in detention — has risen in the wake of the operations. In head-to-head polling by ORC Research and Yöneylem, he leads President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by six to eight points, signaling that public sympathy for the CHP candidate may have strengthened.

Political analysts say the arrests risk backfiring by reinforcing the perception that Turkey’s judiciary is under executive influence. “The government may have underestimated the symbolic weight of İmamoğlu’s detention,” said one Ankara-based political scientist. “Each new case risks deepening the public’s sense of injustice.”

Judicial outlook

If accepted, the indictment against Aslan will be assigned to one of Istanbul’s criminal courts for trial. Legal experts note that the charge of “resisting public officials” typically carries minor sentences but can be politically significant depending on the court’s handling of the case.

The Ministry of Justice has not commented on the indictment. CHP officials have described the case as “judicial harassment,” emphasizing that Aslan was performing his duties as acting mayor when the incident occurred.

The case adds to mounting tension between the ruling bloc and Turkey’s largest opposition party, as the country approaches a politically charged 2026.