A Political Battle Unfolds Within Turkey’s Grandest Prison Walls
This process has turned into a form – Ekrem İmamoğlu stands as perhaps the most formidable obstacle to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ambitions. The former Istanbul mayor finds himself confined within the sprawling Marmara Prison complex, facing charges that could keep him behind bars for decades. His journey from a beloved local politician to a high-profile defendant illustrates the intensifying political tensions within Turkey.
The Cold Reality of Silivri
“Silivri soğuktur” — a familiar phrase among Turkish journalists, activists, and politicians who dare criticize the current administration. The saying translates to “Silivri is cold,” referring to the notorious detention facility where individuals often wait months before their cases reach a judge. Historically known as a “sayfiye yeri,” this region once served primarily as a retreat for summer homes and family cottages. Today, it hosts Europe’s largest prison complex.
“This process has turned into a form of torture,” one observer noted regarding İmamoğlu’s ongoing legal proceedings.
İmamoğlu’s Political Rise and Fall
A former football player who built his reputation as a dedicated progressive, İmamoğlu served as the popular district mayor of Istanbul’s Beylikdüzü municipality. His ability to connect with both pious and secular voters earned him the affectionate nickname “İmam” among many Istanbul residents. His initiatives addressing child malnutrition and enhancing public transportation strengthened his social democratic reputation.
His 2019 electoral triumph marked a significant departure from Erdoğan’s dominance, which had begun when the president was elected Istanbul’s mayor in 1994. Following that victory, street celebrations continued well into the next morning. In the 2024 local elections, İmamoğlu secured a decisive victory with just over fifty-one percent of the vote.
The Charges and the Courtroom
On March 18, 2025, merely three weeks after announcing his candidacy for the 2028 presidential elections, Istanbul University invalidated İmamoğlu’s college diploma, rendering him ineligible for political office. The following day, hundreds of police officers encircled the mayoral residence. He now faces accusations of 142 separate offenses, ranging from leading a criminal organization and accepting bribes to unlawfully obtaining personal data and aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ party. These charges carry a potential sentence of 2,430 years behind bars.
Additionally, 104 other city officials were arrested in connection with the case. Yılmaz Tunç, who served as Turkey’s justice minister at the time, publicly denied allegations that the government was pressuring courts to prosecute İmamoğlu. Akın Gürlek, the prosecutor who brought the indictment, has since succeeded Tunç as justice minister.
The trial commenced on March 9, 2026, with more than 400 defendants participating. Of these, 68 remain in detention. The 3,739-page indictment, filed by Istanbul’s lead prosecutor on November 11, 2025, initially projected a completion timeline of 4,600 days — approximately twelve and a half years. However, proceedings appear to be accelerating.
Life Inside the Trial
Furkan Karabay, a journalist who recently published a memoir detailing his 201-day imprisonment in Silivri for his reporting work, anticipates that İmamoğlu will testify during mid-summer. The extended duration of the trial may ultimately prevent İmamoğlu from participating in the 2028 elections.
On the trial’s opening day, opposition lawmakers — many of whom are professional attorneys — attended alongside activists and press members to demonstrate solidarity. By April 13, however, the courtroom appeared noticeably emptier.
Silivri sits 83 kilometers from central Istanbul, requiring a two-hour journey to reach the courthouse. Gendarmerie officers initially restricted access to reporters possessing “turquoise press cards” issued by Erdoğan’s communications directorate. The author gained entry through an Artforum magazine press card, which the young court officer generously extended to include both the press room and courtroom access.
No one interviewed believes İmamoğlu will be acquitted. The case is expected to continue until early next year, potentially reshaping Turkey’s political landscape for years to come.
