Violent demonstrations erupted throughout Turkey following the apprehension of Istanbul’s mayor on charges of corruption. Ekrem Imamoglu, 53, a prominent opponent of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was formally detained and questioned regarding alleged ties to terrorist groups. Imamoglu, a leading candidate to head the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), refuted the accusations as politically motivated.
During his custody awaiting trial, Imamoglu defiantly declared, “I will never yield.” His arrest sparked the largest protests in over a decade, denounced by Erdogan as attempts to disrupt peace and divide the populace. In Ankara, protesters obstructed Atatürk Boulevard and clashed with law enforcement using tear gas and water cannons. Plainclothes officers were observed detaining a demonstrator, and tensions escalated with reports of rubber bullets being fired during confrontations over the weekend.
Imamoglu was among more than 100 individuals, including politicians, journalists, and businessmen, detained in a recent investigation. Following a raid on his residence, he was arrested this week. Alongside Imamoglu, 47 others were also incarcerated pending trial, including a key aide and two district mayors from Istanbul. One of the mayors was replaced by a government appointee, while 44 suspects were released under judicial supervision.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 323 individuals were detained for disturbances during protests the previous evening. Imamoglu was officially arrested and charged with various offenses, including forming and managing a criminal organization, accepting bribes, extortion, unauthorized data collection, and bid rigging. Prosecutors sought to accuse him of supporting an armed terrorist organization, but the court deemed it unnecessary at the current stage.
Imamoglu’s suspension from duty was declared as a temporary measure by the Interior Ministry. The CHP, in alliance with the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) during the previous local elections, faced accusations of connections to the PKK, which DEM denies. The PKK recently declared a ceasefire after a decades-long insurgency against Turkey, classified as a terrorist group in various regions.
Imamoglu is considered a significant rival to Erdogan, standing as the sole candidate in the CHP’s presidential selection. The party introduced symbolic ballot boxes nationwide for non-members to express support for the mayor. “This is not just the Republican People’s Party’s issue but a concern for Turkish democracy,” stated Fusun Erben at a polling station in Istanbul.
A day before his arrest, Istanbul University revoked Imamoglu’s degree over alleged irregularities, potentially challenging his candidacy for president. The move is viewed as a political maneuver to eliminate a key contender from the upcoming presidential race in 2028. Government officials deny interference, asserting the independence of Turkey’s judiciary.
Imamoglu urged people to demonstrate their fight for democracy and justice globally through the ballot box. He warned Erdogan of defeat through righteousness, courage, humility, and a smiling demeanor. Elected as Istanbul’s mayor in March 2019, Imamoglu’s victory dealt a significant blow to Erdogan’s ruling party, which had dominated the city for 25 years. Erdogan contested the election results, leading to a rerun that Imamoglu also won, retaining his position in subsequent local elections where the CHP made notable gains against Erdogan’s party.