Bangladesh, March 25 -- The decision by a court in Istanbul to restrict public and media access to the corruption trial of Ekrem Imamoglu has intensified concerns about transparency, judicial independence, and the rule of law in Turkey. Imamoglu, widely regarded as the most formidable political challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been on trial since March 9 alongside more than 400 municipal officials and associates. The case, centered on allegations of large-scale corruption, has quickly evolved into a focal point of political tension both domestically and internationally.

At the heart of the controversy is the courts handling of public access. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), authorities at the Silivri courthouse com...