Turkey has witnessed widespread protests after Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a strong political challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was arrested and charged with corruption. His detention has sparked the largest wave of unrest in the country in over a decade, reminiscent of the 2013 Gezi protests.
Imamoglu, who was set to be the presidential candidate for the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in 2028, was arrested on charges including bribery, extortion, and running a criminal organization. He was formally jailed on Sunday and has been suspended from his mayoral post, pending trial. Imamoglu has firmly denied the charges, accusing Erdogan’s government of using the judicial system for political persecution. “I will never bow,” Imamoglu wrote on X (formerly Twitter) before his arrest.
The arrest triggered massive protests across Turkey, with demonstrations spanning over 55 provinces. Thousands gathered outside Istanbul’s City Hall and clashed with riot police, who used water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray to disperse the crowds. Imamoglu’s wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, addressed the protestors, denouncing the arrest as an act of injustice that resonated with the Turkish people’s sense of fairness.
The protests quickly became the most significant unrest in Turkey since the Gezi Park protests of 2013, which also began in Istanbul and sparked nationwide demonstrations. According to AFP, rallies were held in at least two-thirds of Turkey’s provinces.
Imamoglu was one of over 100 individuals detained in connection with an investigation initiated on Wednesday. His charges include “establishing and managing a criminal organisation, bribery, extortion, unlawful data collection, and rigging a tender.” While his arrest does not automatically bar him from running for president in 2028, a conviction could disqualify him.
In the days following the arrest, Imamoglu’s supporters voted in solidarity with him in unofficial “solidarity ballot boxes” set up across the country. The CHP reported that nearly 15 million votes were cast on Sunday, though independent verification of these figures is not available.
Turkey’s Justice Ministry has denied any political motivation behind the case, maintaining that the judiciary is independent. However, critics, including international observers, have expressed concern over the timing of Imamoglu’s arrest, particularly as he is seen as a major rival to Erdogan’s long-standing rule.
As tensions mount, the situation has drawn international attention, with human rights organizations and social media platforms like X (Twitter) raising concerns about censorship. The Turkish government’s recent decision to block over 700 accounts on X, including those of journalists and political figures, has been criticized for hindering free discourse, especially as the political climate heats up.
Imamoglu’s legal troubles could complicate his political future, especially after Istanbul University announced it was revoking his degree, citing alleged irregularities. If upheld, this could challenge his eligibility to run for president, as Turkey’s constitution requires presidential candidates to hold a higher education degree. His lawyers have vowed to appeal the decision to the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
As the situation continues to unfold, Turkey’s political landscape remains deeply divided, with many questioning whether Imamoglu’s arrest is a ploy to weaken opposition ahead of future elections.
Sources: AFP, BBC, Reuters, X (formerly Twitter)
