The Turkish prosecutors announced that they have launched a new investigation against the dismissed mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu due to his statements made in the courtroom as part of the ongoing trial against him, the Birgunj newspaper reported, citing a publication by the Istanbul Bakirkoy District Chief Prosecutor's Office in Aix, BTA reported.
The publication makes it clear that the prosecutors have launched an official investigation against Imamoglu due to his statements addressed to court officials made during the 12th consecutive hearing on the case held today. According to the prosecutors' statement, Imamoglu is accused of "insulting and threatening an official in the performance of his official duties."
The trial against Imamoglu, which was arrested on March 19 last year and later removed from office, and 407 other defendants, including several mayors from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), began on March 9 in a tense atmosphere. According to the indictment of the Turkish prosecutor's office, an organized group led by Imamoglu began operating during his term as mayor of the Istanbul municipality of Beylikduzu and expanded during his term as mayor of the Greater Istanbul Municipality.
Imamoglu is accused of 142 different acts, including: “forming an organization with the intent to commit crimes“, “concealing evidence of a crime“ and others, and prosecutors are seeking a sentence of up to 2,352 years in prison for him.