ISTANBUL: Istanbul’s jailed mayor Ekrem Imamoglu went on trial Monday in a sprawling corruption case critics say is a politically motivated bid to scupper his chances of challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Arrested last year on March 19 and jailed ever since, Imamoglu is to appear at Silivri court for the opening of a sweeping graft case in which prosecutors want him jailed for 2,430 years. Applause erupted as Imamoglu and scores of other defendants entered the packed courtroom, as spectators shouted: “We are proud of you!” according to journalists tweeting from the scene.

Ekrem Imamoglu is seen as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival.

ISTANBUL: Istanbul’s jailed mayor Ekrem Imamoglu went on trial Monday in a sprawling corruption case critics say is a politically motivated bid to scupper his chances of…

Critics say sprawling corruption case against Ekrem İmamoğlu aims to stop him running as president against Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

The trial of Istanbul's mayor and 400 current and former city employees began Monday in Turkey over allegations of corruption and organized crime.

Detainees must review tens of thousands of pages of documents with just two hours of weekly computer access