Court Adjourns Case Against İmamoğlu as Prosecution Seeks Dismissal
imamoglu
In a fast-moving legal development for Turkey’s political landscape, the Bakırköy 33rd Criminal Court of First Instance has adjourned the trial of detained presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu. The case, centered on allegations of “insult” and seeking a political ban, saw a significant turn when the prosecutor officially requested the case be dismissed.
The “Pre-payment” Turning Point
The case revolves around a 2024 incident where İmamoğlu reportedly used the phrase, “Continue your ugly politics, you are truly very ugly.” Under the prepared indictment, he faced a prison term of up to 2 years and 4 months, along with a potential political ban that would disqualify him from the presidency.
However, during the hearing on February 27, 2026, the prosecutor noted that:
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Settlement via Payment: İmamoğlu made a “pre-payment” (ön ödeme) to the court file yesterday.
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Legal Recommendation: Based on this payment and the submission of the receipt, the prosecutor argued that the legal grounds for the case have been satisfied, necessitating a dismissal (düşme).
Court Adjourned Until March 5
Despite the prosecution’s request for immediate dismissal, the presiding judge opted to adjourn the proceedings. The next hearing is scheduled for March 5, 2026. This delay means İmamoğlu, who has been in custody since March 23, 2025, will remain in detention as the court formalizes its final decision.
A Pattern of Dismissals
This is not the first time a case against the presidential candidate has followed this trajectory. Previously, a case alleging insults against two prosecutors during the “Urban Consensus” investigation in October 2025 was also dismissed.
In that instance, the Istanbul 27th Criminal Court of First Instance ruled for dismissal after a similar prepayment, despite the prosecutor’s opposition at the time.
Ongoing Restrictions
While the dismissal of this specific case appears likely, the political pressure remains high. Recently, the court also made headlines by denying exit permits for İmamoğlu’s son to travel abroad for a scientific presentation, citing ongoing legal constraints.