The Ongoing Investigation: A Summary

The legal proceedings surrounding several individuals detained in connection with a “Financial Crimes” investigation targeting İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu continue to unfold. Those arrested on march 23 include Murat Ongun, Buğra Gökçe, serdar Haydanlı, and Ali Nuhoğlu. A monthly detention review was conducted, resulting in a decision to prolong their detainment.

Imamoğlu’s Absence and Defense requests

Mr. İmamoğlu submitted a petition stating he would not participate in the monthly detention investigation at the Magistrate Criminal Court. The other individuals involved connected via SEGBİS (Audio and Video Information System) and requested their release.

Judge’s Rationale for Continued Detention

The judge justified the decision to continue the detention, citing the potential severity of the punishments associated with the alleged crimes against Mr.İmamoğlu and Mr. Ongun. The judge also expressed concerns about the possibility of destroying, concealing, or altering evidence, and also influencing witnesses and victims.

Defense Alleges Political Motivation

Hasan Fehmi Demir, Mr. İmamoğlu’s lawyer,submitted a written defense to the court,arguing that the legal process is not solely based on legal grounds. He suggested a politically motivated agenda is at play.

When the investigation is considered contextual, it is the product of a political approach and implementation that exploits the political struggle based on the competition based on the period that started with the cancellation of the diploma of my client on 18 March 2025, trying to eliminate its opponents in a unlawful way and by means of instrumentalization of the law.
hasan Fehmi Demir, Lawyer for ekrem İmamoğlu

Accusations of Unlawful Interrogation Procedures

Mr. Demir further asserted that the investigation has been marred by prohibited interrogation techniques and a lack of concrete evidence against his client.

To date, we have made a diffrent repeated statement about the prohibited interrogation procedures, unlawful queries and evidence of peopel at every stage of the investigation. We repeat these statements exactly.
Hasan Fehmi Demir, Lawyer for Ekrem İmamoğlu

FAQ: Key Questions About the Case

• Who is Ekrem İmamoğlu? He is the Mayor of İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
• what is the “Financial Crimes” investigation about? The article does not specify the exact nature of the alleged financial crimes.
• Why were these individuals detained? They were detained as part of the “Financial Crimes” investigation targeting Mr. İmamoğlu.
• What is SEGBİS? It is an Audio and Video Information System used for remote participation in legal proceedings.