The trial of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu reached its 95th hearing on Thursday, according to birgun.net, which reported that it remains unclear when İmamoğlu will present his defense. The case is being heard in Turkey and centers on allegations that İmamoğlu led a criminal organization operating through the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, or İBB.
Several outlets carried accounts from the session. Milliyet reported that a witness named Ahmet Sari testified that Ertan Yıldız took money from him. Haber 7 reported sharp words directed at Murat Ongun during the hearing. İhlas Haber Ajansı reported that a defendant described transferring two villas worth 480 million Turkish lira to İmamoğlu İnşaat, saying that during a financial crisis "you are forced into that kind of thing" to resolve business problems.
Sabah reported that a cooperating contractor, Ali Nuhoğlu, described money movements and the villa transfer, and alleged a $4.8 million bribe with knowledge on İmamoğlu's part. These accounts come from courtroom testimony as reported by those outlets and have not been independently verified by CYBEV.io.
The case has run for dozens of hearings, and the reporting indicates the proceedings are continuing with witness testimony rather than the mayor's own defense. Coverage across Turkish media has focused on the testimony of witnesses and defendants connected to the allegations.
What to watch next: whether the court schedules a date for İmamoğlu's defense statement, and how the testimony reported at the 95th hearing is treated in later sessions.
