Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key opposition leader and major rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was formally arrested on Sunday amid corruption allegations. His detention has triggered widespread protests across Turkey, marking one of the most significant waves of public unrest in years.
Imamoglu’s arrest followed a dramatic raid on his residence earlier in the week. His supporters argue the charges are politically motivated, aimed at sidelining a leading contender for the 2028 presidential race. Government officials, however, deny political interference, insisting the judiciary operates independently.
The charges against Imamoglu include running a criminal organisation, bribery, extortion, bid-rigging, and illegal data collection. A separate request to charge him with terrorism-related offences was dismissed. Meanwhile, mass protests have erupted nationwide, with riot police in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir using water cannons, tear gas, and plastic bullets against demonstrators, some of whom retaliated with stones and fireworks.
Opposition rallies behind Imamoglu
Imamoglu’s arrest coincided with a symbolic primary election held by the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) to endorse him as their presidential candidate. In response, the party set up nationwide ballot boxes for non-members to cast ‘solidarity votes’ in support of the embattled mayor.
“This is no longer just about CHP; it is about democracy in Turkey,” said one voter in Istanbul. Others fear the country is sliding toward authoritarianism. Imamoglu urged his supporters to stand firm, saying, “We will defeat Erdogan with our righteousness, our courage, our humility, and our determination.” His wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, echoed his defiance, stating, “We are not afraid and we will never give up.”
International outrage and economic fallout
The arrest has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organisations. The Council of Europe condemned the decision, demanding Imamoglu’s immediate release. Political analysts view the move as Erdogan’s attempt to eliminate his strongest rival.
Domestically, the arrest has rattled financial markets. The Turkish lira depreciated sharply, and the country’s benchmark BIST 100 index closed nearly eight per cent lower on Friday. Imamoglu warned before his arrest that the case had damaged Turkey’s international reputation and public trust in the economy.
‘Street teror’
Imamoglu’s arrest is the latest in a series of legal challenges against him. He was previously convicted in 2022 for allegedly insulting Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council. Recently, a university nullified his degree over alleged irregularities, effectively barring him from running for president.
Imamoglu’s political rise has been a significant challenge to Erdogan’s rule. He won Istanbul’s mayoral race in 2019, defeating Erdogan’s party in a major blow to the ruling AKP. A rerun of the election only reinforced Imamoglu’s popularity when he secured an even larger victory.
Despite protest bans in Turkey’s largest cities, demonstrations continue to grow. The government has vowed to crack down on unrest, labelling it “street terror.” However, opposition leaders remain defiant, calling Imamoglu’s arrest a political coup against democracy.
As Turkey faces increasing political instability, all eyes are on Erdogan’s response and whether the opposition can sustain its momentum against growing authoritarian measures.
