Corruption and organised crime: Istanbul mayor Imamoglu charged with 142 offences

Ankara (Turkey), 11 Nov. (LaPresse/AP) – The chief prosecutor of Istanbul has filed charges against the jailed mayor of the Turkish city, Ekrem Imamoglu, holding him responsible for 142 criminal offences related to corruption and organised crime and seeking long prison sentences. Chief Prosecutor Akin Gurlek said the indictment is 3,900 pages long and names 402 suspects, including Imamoglu as the main suspect. According to Gurlek’s office, Imamoglu has been charged with organising a criminal group, 12 counts of corruption, seven counts of money laundering and seven counts of fraud. In addition, he is held responsible for multiple crimes allegedly committed by others, including bribery, fraud and bid rigging. The trial date is expected to be set once the court formally accepts the indictment. If found guilty on all charges, he could face 2,352 years in prison.