• A Turkish prosecutor demands a 2,000-year jail term for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
• Imamoglu is accused of leading a vast corruption network causing 160 billion lira in losses.
• Over 402 suspects are named in the indictment, reflecting a broader crackdown on opposition figures.
• The indictment is seen as politically motivated, with significant implications for Turkey's opposition.

A Turkish prosecutor has demanded a prison sentence exceeding 2,000 years for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who is accused of orchestrating a corruption network estimated to have cost the Turkish state around 160 billion lira ($3.8 billion). This sweeping indictment includes 402 suspects and claims Imamoglu led a criminal organization involved in bribery, fraud, and bid-rigging, according to Reuters, Le Monde, and South China Morning Post.

The indictment, reportedly spanning over 4,000 pages, characterizes Imamoglu as the chief suspect and lists serious allegations involving 142 criminal offenses, including multiple counts of bribery and fraud. Imamoglu and his legal team have consistently denied the allegations, labeling them as politically motivated efforts to undermine the opposition, as reported by Le Monde and South China Morning Post.

Critics of the government assert that these legal actions form part of a broader crackdown against opposition parties following a strong performance in recent elections. The political climate has sparked widespread protests, with public demonstrations occurring in response to Imamoglu's detention and indictment, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

The legal ramifications are extensive, with potential implications for the entire political landscape in Turkey, including a proposition to dissolve Imamoglu's party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), based on allegations of illicit finance. Advances in these proceedings could result in significant control shifts in Istanbul, marking a critical juncture for Turkish democracy, as expressed by South China Morning Post.