İBB Trial: İmamoğlu Confronts Judiciary Over “Double Standards”

The high-profile İBB Trial entered its 16th session today in Silivri, marked by a defiant statement from the imprisoned Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.

Addressing the court panel, İmamoğlu criticized the ongoing detention of the 89 remaining defendants, drawing a sharp contrast between the treatment of his staff and that of those involved in financial scandals. His remarks come on the heels of a significant interim decision that saw 18 individuals released pending trial, though 402 people in total remain caught in the legal process.

“The Central Bank Fraudsters are Free”

Taking the floor as the session opened at 10:00 AM, İmamoğlu expressed both appreciation for the recent releases and deep concern for those still behind bars. He accused the judicial process of creating a “violation of rights” (kul hakkı), stating:

“Those who defrauded the Central Bank are walking free, while people who dedicated their lives to the state are being held captive here. There are children still imprisoned because of their fathers, and women in great suffering. This must be addressed for the sake of justice.”

İmamoğlu also raised practical concerns about the conditions of the trial, noting issues with the provision of food for the defendants and requesting the court’s intervention to ensure that basic humanitarian needs are met during the long sessions.

Defense of Seyfullah Demirel: “The Crime of Working with İmamoğlu”

Following the Mayor’s remarks, the court heard the defense of Seyfullah Demirel, İBB’s Head of Road Maintenance and Infrastructure Coordination. Demirel’s testimony focused on the perceived political nature of the arrests:

• Service Record: Demirel highlighted his career serving 16 million people since 2019 and noted that his merit-based appointment had never been questioned until his tenure in the current İBB administration.

• Political Allegation: “If we were working with someone other than Ekrem İmamoğlu, we wouldn’t be standing before you today,” Demirel stated, suggesting that the prosecution is targeting the administration’s staff as a proxy for political rivalry.

İBB Trial: Current Status

The 16th day of the İBB Trial continues with further testimony from defendants and cross-examination. While the release of 18 names—including figures such as Kadriye Kasapoğlu and Fatih Yağcı—has provided a glimmer of hope for the defense, the core of the case remains unresolved. Journalists reported continued restrictions at the Silivri courtroom, with some members of the press being redirected to the spectator gallery rather than the designated press area.