The arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a prominent opposition figure, has sparked widespread protests across Turkey, leading to the largest unrest the country has seen in more than a decade. Imamoglu, who was poised to be the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) 2028 presidential candidate, was arrested and charged with a range of serious allegations, including corruption, bribery, and establishing a criminal organization. The arrest occurred shortly after Imamoglu had criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government, leading to claims that the charges against him were politically motivated.
The protests that erupted in response have been marked by significant confrontations with police, who used tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, and pepper spray on demonstrators. Imamoglu’s wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, addressed the crowds outside Istanbul’s city hall, denouncing the “injustice” her husband faced, which she said had struck a chord with many people. These demonstrations have spread across at least 55 of Turkey’s 81 provinces, indicating widespread dissatisfaction with the arrest.
Despite Imamoglu being in custody, the CHP party’s presidential candidate selection vote went ahead, and millions of people reportedly cast ballots in solidarity with him. However, if Imamoglu is convicted of the charges against him, his ability to run for president would be in jeopardy. Additionally, Imamoglu’s degree was recently revoked by Istanbul University, further complicating his eligibility under the Turkish constitution, which requires presidential candidates to have completed higher education.
The situation has drawn significant international attention, especially with social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) blocking over 700 accounts linked to political figures and journalists, which has been condemned by the platform as an unlawful action. Thousands of arrests have been made since the protests began, and the political crisis continues to unfold with uncertainty about the broader implications for Turkey’s future leadership.
Imamoglu is seen as a major rival to Erdogan, who has been in power for over two decades, and his arrest is likely to intensify tensions between the government and opposition. The developments in the coming weeks, including potential legal battles and political moves, could play a crucial role in shaping Turkey’s political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential election.