- Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, seen as a key rival to President Erdogan, has been detained just days before his expected presidential nomination.
- Prosecutors accuse Imamoglu of leading a criminal organization, while his party denounces the move as a politically motivated coup attempt.
- A four-day ban on public gatherings has been enforced in Istanbul, as opposition voices raise alarm over the state of democracy in Turkey.
Istanbul’s Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, a leading opposition figure and potential presidential candidate, has been detained as part of a sweeping corruption investigation in Turkey. His arrest comes just days before the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP) was set to officially nominate him for the presidency.
Prosecutors have labeled Imamoglu a “suspect leader of a criminal organisation,” with over 100 individuals — including politicians, journalists, and business figures — also detained in the probe. The development has sparked widespread criticism and raised concerns about the state of democracy in Turkey.
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Speaking out after the detention, Imamoglu declared, “The will of the people cannot be silenced,” and vowed to stand firm for democracy and justice. He added, “I stand resolute in defending fundamental rights and freedoms for Turkey and for all who value democracy worldwide.”
Authorities launched a major police operation at Imamoglu’s home in the early hours of the morning. Shortly after, state media announced a four-day ban on public gatherings, demonstrations, and press briefings in Istanbul, citing the need to maintain public order.
The timing of Imamoglu’s detention has drawn scrutiny, particularly as he is the sole candidate in the CHP’s presidential selection scheduled for Sunday. Just one day prior to his arrest, Istanbul University annulled Imamoglu’s degree, which, if upheld, would render him ineligible for the presidency under Turkish law that requires candidates to hold a university degree. Imamoglu called the move “legally baseless” and condemned what he described as political interference in academic institutions.
The CHP has condemned the detention as a “coup attempt” aimed at preventing the Turkish people from choosing their next president. Party chairman Ozgur Ozel wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Replacing the will of the people or obstructing it by force is nothing short of a coup.” Deputy chairman Ilhan Uzgel accused the government of using the investigation as a tool to intimidate the opposition, adding that the party is “very concerned about the state of democracy in Turkey.”
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Pro-government media outlets have also reported additional charges against Imamoglu, including extortion, fraud, and aiding the PKK — a militant group outlawed in Turkey and designated a terrorist organisation by the EU, UK, and US.
This is not Imamoglu’s first legal battle. In 2022, he received a sentence of over two years for allegedly insulting public officials in a speech.
Following the latest detentions, authorities shut down several streets in Istanbul, suspended metro services, and placed the city under tight security to prevent what officials described as “provocative actions.”
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