Ekrem İmamoğlu appeared in court for his trial. This hearing is the third session of a case opened due to statements made during a panel he attended while serving as the Mayor of Istanbul.

The hearing took place at the Silivri Closed Penitentiary Campus due to the inadequacy of the courtroom at the Istanbul Courthouse. During the session, İmamoğlu stated that this process is not a trial but a punishment.

İmamoğlu began his defense by stating, "I have come here from a prison where I have been unjustly and unlawfully held for about 90 days. I am here because I have won elections three times against the mentality that says whoever wins Istanbul wins Turkey,".

During the hearing, CHP leader Özgür Özel was also present in the courtroom to support İmamoğlu. İmamoğlu stated, "This is not a trial; it is punishment. The will of my nation is also being punished."

İmamoğlu faces charges of insult, threat, and targeting individuals involved in counter-terrorism, with a potential sentence ranging from 2 years 8 months to 7 years 4 months. The hearing has been adjourned to July 16.