Turkish Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentence and Political Ban for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu

An appeals court has upheld a prison sentence and political ban against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a leading opposition figure and presidential hopeful from the Republican People’s Party (CHP). The ruling has triggered fresh outcry from critics who accuse the government of weaponizing the judiciary to eliminate political rivals ahead of the 2026 elections.

İmamoğlu was sentenced to 2 years, 7 months, and 15 days in prison and stripped of political rights for four years by the Anadolu 7th Criminal Court of First Instance in a high-profile defamation case widely known as the “Fool Case” (“Ahmak Davası”). The verdict, which also invoked Article 53 of the Turkish Penal Code—allowing for political disqualification—was recently upheld by the appeals court.

İmamoğlu’s legal team has already filed an objection with the Court of Cassation, Turkey’s highest appeals court, in a final attempt to overturn the ruling.

“Fool Case” Sparks Outrage in CHP

CHP parliamentary group leader Murat Emir sharply criticized the ruling, calling it “not a product of law, but of the palace’s scribes”—a pointed reference to President Erdoğan’s influence over the judiciary.

“The verdict in the ‘Fool Case’ against our presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu is one of the darkest chapters in Turkish legal history,” said Emir.

“Judges were replaced at the last minute, and the Supreme Electoral Council (YSK) members—who had declared they weren’t even involved—were forcibly made into plaintiffs. This case is not about law. It is a political engineering operation,” he added.

Emir accused the ruling party of fabricating a political conspiracy from the word “fool,” referring to İmamoğlu’s controversial remarks that were interpreted as an insult to state officials.

Background: Imamoğlu’s Legal Battles and Arrest

İmamoğlu, one of the most popular opposition politicians in Turkey, first rose to national prominence after winning the Istanbul mayoral election in 2019, defeating Erdoğan’s AKP candidate in both the original vote and a rerun ordered by the YSK.

The case stems from İmamoğlu’s public reaction to the YSK’s decision to annul the first round of the Istanbul mayoral election. In a speech in November 2019, he criticized the annulment and used the term “ahmak” (“fool”)—widely seen as a response to the Interior Minister, but later interpreted by prosecutors as an insult directed at YSK officials.

The mayor was detained briefly in early 2025, following escalating tensions between the opposition-led Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the central government. Although he was released after several hours, it was seen as a warning shot in a broader campaign of legal pressure.

İmamoğlu also faces multiple lawsuits, including allegations of irregular municipal appointments and misuse of public funds, although no convictions have yet been secured in those cases. Many observers view these investigations as part of a broader strategy to prevent him from running for higher office.

Political Implications: A Presidency Blocked?

If the Court of Cassation upholds the sentence, İmamoğlu could face a political ban, barring him from running in the 2026 presidential and local elections. That would dramatically reshape the opposition landscape, potentially removing the CHP’s most viable candidate to challenge Erdoğan.

The ruling also comes amid heightened political tensions, with several CHP mayors and officials facing judicial pressure or defection to the ruling party, further fueling speculation about a coordinated effort to paralyze the opposition.