Istanbul's opposition mayor barred from politics over 'insult'
A Turkish court sentenced Istanbul's popular opposition mayor to nearly three years jail in a politically charged defamation trial that effectively bars him from standing in next June's presidential election.
But his conviction for "insulting a public official" disqualifies the 52-year-old mayor -- one of the brightest stars of Turkey's main secular party -- from politics for the duration of the sentence.
Imamoglu will continue heading Turkey's largest and most fabled city while his appeal winds its way through the courts.
"Government resign!" hundreds of Imamoglu supporters chanted outside the mayor's office moments after the verdict was read out.
"A handful of guys can't take away the power given to us by the people," Imamoglu defiantly told the crowd.
The trial focused on an offhand remark Imamoglu made to reporters a few months after defeating Erdogan's ally in a re-run election held after his first victory was annulled.
An Istanbul court sentenced Imamoglu to two years and seven-and-a-half months in prison for defamation.
It also applied a separate clause of the penal code that bars the mayor from politics.
Imamoglu's pending disqualification comes with Turkey's opposition parties still arguing about who should stand against Erdogan in next June's presidential vote.
The Istanbul mayor is among a handful of opposition leaders polls show could beat Erdogan in a head-to-head race.
