Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu indicted again, now for insulting election board

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has been indicted yet again, this time for allegedly insulting members of Turkey's election board during a speech in November 2019. Main opposition CHP's İmamoğlu has been at odds with Ankara ever since he was elected mayor of Turkey's biggest city in June 2019 in a re-run vote.

Friday May 28 2021 04:12 pm

Duvar English

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was indicted yet again on May 28, this time for allegedly insulting members of Turkey's election board during a speech in November 2019.

The indictment alleged that the mayor had insulted 11 members of Turkey's High Election Board (YSK) while talking about the board's decision to annul and rerun the March 31, 2019 Istanbul mayoral election.

The YSK did not recognize İmamoğlu's initial victory in the 2019 local elections and ordered a repeat vote which the mayor again won.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) member İmamoğlu reportedly said during Nov. 4, 2019 press meeting that the cancellation affected Turkey's international standing and the officials who took the decision were foolish.

İmamoğlu faces four years and one month in prison for the allegations, the latest in a series of accusations against the main opposition mayor who rejected the latest charges in a statement delivered by his attorney.

Recent opinion polls suggest İmamoglu's popularity has overtaken President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as the president battles the global COVID-19 pandemic and economic challenges, ahead of presidential elections scheduled for 2023.