Turkish Court Seeks Over Two Millennia in Prison for Opposition Mayor

A Turkish prosecutor has requested a prison sentence totaling 2,430 years for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The prominent opposition figure faces charges of allegedly insulting public officials. The case stems from 2019, when İmamoğlu criticized officials who annulled his initial mayoral election victory. He later won a re-run vote by a large margin. His party, the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), condemns the case. They argue the timing and severe charges aim to remove a key political rival from public life. İmamoğlu, widely seen as a potential presidential candidate, remains mayor pending a verdict. The court will announce its decision at a later date.