Erdoğan Hosts NATO Summit as Political Rival Removed from Trial

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, President Erdoğan's chief political rival, was ejected from a corruption trial at Silivri prison on July 8—the same day Erdoğan hosted NATO leaders in Ankara. The hearing, spanning July 6–9, involves over 400 defendants. European observers have raised concerns about restricted media access and procedural conduct, questioning whether fair-trial standards are being met.