Erdogan Challenger’s Political Career at Risk After Court Ruling

  • Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu sentenced to nearly 3 years in prison
  • Imamoglu widely seen as the biggest challenger to Erdogan

Ekrem Imamoglu

Photographer: Kerem Uzel/Bloomberg
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Turkey on Wednesday convicted Istanbul’s high-profile mayor of insulting election officials, jeopardizing any potential election bid against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A court in Istanbul sentenced Ekrem Imamoglu to two years and seven months in prison. If the verdict is upheld by higher appeals courts, it will result in a political ban for Imamoglu, the most popular political figure who can challenge Erdogan in elections scheduled for June.