The arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, has sparked significant unrest in Turkey, with protests and clashes breaking out despite a protest ban in place. Imamoglu, a member of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and a major rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was detained on charges including corruption and aiding terrorist groups. His arrest came just before he was expected to be named as a potential presidential candidate for the 2028 elections.
The protests, which began on Wednesday, have led to police using tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators. Despite the crackdown, some 106 people were detained, and Turkish authorities are targeting those who have made “provocative” social media posts in response to Imamoglu’s arrest, with dozens already arrested. The government has also criticized opposition leaders and protesters, accusing them of orchestrating a “theatrical” response.
Imamoglu’s CHP party and his supporters have condemned the arrest as politically motivated, with accusations that the ruling government is attempting to suppress opposition. In response, opposition leader Ozgur Ozel accused Erdogan’s government of attempting a “coup” against the democratic process, while university students and other protesters have continued to rally against the detention, chanting slogans of defiance.
Despite the protests, the number of demonstrators in Istanbul remains small compared to the city’s population of over 16 million. However, Imamoglu’s arrest has deepened concerns about political repression in Turkey, especially with a growing crackdown on opposition figures, journalists, and activists in recent months. His case also highlights the tense political landscape as Turkey approaches a key phase in its political future, with 2028 elections on the horizon and the possibility of constitutional changes to allow Erdogan to remain in power.
As the situation unfolds, Imamoglu’s supporters continue to rally, with symbolic elections planned across Turkey to show support for the detained mayor, even as the government insists the arrests are part of a legitimate judicial process. The protests reflect broader dissatisfaction with Erdogan’s rule and may signal further political turbulence in the lead-up to the next presidential election.