"Imamoglu clashed with the judge as he was denied permission to speak on entering the courtroom and was told he would address the court last. He said the court should 'respect the right of people to defend themselves.' But the judge refused, prompting chants of 'shame!' in support of the opposition leader from the viewing gantry."
"Imamoglu is accused of leading a criminal organization for profit, involving tender-rigging and bribery. He and his main opposition party deny the corruption charges, calling them a politically motivated bid by President Erdogan's ruling party to sideline its biggest threat."
"Prosecutors are seeking a maximum jail term of in excess of 2,000 years, in a country that still uses consecutive rather than concurrent jail sentences. Imamoglu was arrested and removed from office last March, prompting widespread protests in Turkey."
Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul's former mayor and opposition CHP leader, faced a court clash when denied permission to speak upon entering the courtroom at Silviri prison. The judge ordered him to address the court last, prompting Imamoglu to protest that courts should respect defendants' right to self-defense. Supporters in the viewing gallery chanted in his support. When a defense lawyer questioned why witness order information was leaked to pro-government media but withheld from the defense team, the judge cleared the courtroom and suspended proceedings. Over 400 defendants linked to Istanbul municipality are involved in this sweeping corruption case. Imamoglu faces accusations of leading a criminal organization through tender-rigging and bribery, with prosecutors seeking sentences exceeding 2,000 years. Weekly hearings are scheduled Monday through Thursday. Imamoglu and the opposition deny charges, characterizing them as politically motivated attempts by President Erdogan's ruling party to eliminate its primary political rival.
Read at www.dw.com
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