Ozgur Ozel, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has stated that the trial of Istanbul's jailed mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, is a political effort to prevent him from challenging President Tayyip Erdogan in the next election. Prosecutors are accusing Imamoglu of leading a criminal organisation for profit through tender-rigging and bribery, charges he and his party deny. Ozel said that the judges overseeing the case have been tasked with delivering the decision Erdogan wants. He did not expect Imamoglu to be released from detention during his trial, stating that such an outcome would require greater social pressure within Turkey, international pressure, or a drop in Erdogan's poll ratings.