section_path: Mayor of Istanbul (2019–present)/Trial
section_name: Trial
paragraph_text: Trial
  
  On 14 December 2022, Ekrem İmamoğlu was sentenced to two years in prison for calling the Turkish Supreme Election Council "fools" three years prior. The ruling was seen as an attempt by the Erdoğan government to centralize power against popular opposition, and remove a potential political rival. The trial drew wide international condemnation, and protests were organized in front of the Istanbul Municipality in response to it. Additionally, European mayors gathered in Istanbul in a show of support.