Turkey’s Erdogan sues Istanbul Mayor for slander

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan filed a lawsuit against Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition mayor of Istanbul, accusing him of making defamatory statements during a protest rally the previous day. 

Erdogan is seeking 1 million Turkish lira (about €27,000) in damages, citing allegations of "baseless accusations and slander" that he claims damage his reputation and incite hatred, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency.

The lawsuit marks yet another clash between Erdogan and Imamoglu, a prominent figure from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and a leading opposition figure. On Thursday, Imamoglu joined a demonstration protesting the arrest and removal of a district council member in Istanbul who faces terrorism charges. 

It remains unclear which specific comments prompted Erdogan’s lawsuit, but court documents cited by Anadolu indicate that Imamoglu allegedly "acted with the intent of humiliating the president in public."

Since his election as mayor of Istanbul in 2019, Imamoglu has emerged as a significant rival to Erdogan. His victory that year ended a 25-year period of dominance by Erdogan and his party over Turkey’s largest city, signaling a potential shift in Turkish politics. 

Many see Imamoglu as a likely candidate for the 2028 presidential election, a prospect that could challenge Erdogan’s long-standing political influence.

This is not the first time Imamoglu has faced legal challenges linked to his public statements. In 2021, a Turkish court sentenced him to more than two years in prison and imposed a political ban after he referred to those who annulled his initial election win in Istanbul as "idiots." 

The decision sparked controversy, with Imamoglu appealing the ruling, allowing him to retain his position as mayor for the time being.

The recent lawsuit comes amid heightened political tensions in Turkey, as Erdogan continues to confront high-profile opposition figures. 

Imamoglu’s growing popularity and his public critiques of government decisions make him a formidable opponent, potentially shaping Turkey’s political landscape as the country moves toward future elections.