A Turkish court today sentenced Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu to prison on charges of corruption and supporting a terrorist organization, allegations he completely denies.

İmamoğlu, seen as a potential rival to President Erdoğan, appeared in Çağlayan Court in Istanbul. Police interrogated him for five hours regarding claims of ties to the PKK.

On Sunday morning, the prosecution formally sought his arrest, prompting opposition accusations of political exclusion.
Despite heavy security measures, hundreds of protesters gathered, chanting for justice.