Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a prominent rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been formally arrested and charged with corruption. His detention, which occurred just days before he was set to be selected as the presidential candidate for 2028, has sparked widespread protests across Turkey, some of the largest in over a decade.
Imamoglu denies the corruption charges, and his arrest has led to demonstrations that have persisted for four nights, with thousands of people taking to the streets in cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. The protests have been met with heavy police response, including tear gas, water cannons, and arrests. Protesters, many of whom have expressed frustration with what they see as an unlawful detention, are calling for justice and defending democracy. Some individuals at the protests have voiced concerns about Turkey’s current political climate, including limitations on freedom of choice and a lack of true justice.
The Turkish government, including President Erdogan, has condemned the unrest, accusing Imamoglu’s political party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), of attempting to “disturb the peace and polarize” the nation. Imamoglu’s arrest came amid a broader investigation involving several politicians, journalists, and businessmen. His university degree was also revoked the day before his arrest, which could impact his ability to run for president in the future due to constitutional requirements.
Erdogan, who has been in power for over 22 years, is ineligible to run for re-election in 2028 due to term limits unless the constitution is changed. Opposition figures argue that Imamoglu’s arrest is politically motivated, though the Turkish Ministry of Justice defends the actions as being independent of political influence.
The situation remains tense, with protests continuing and many seeing Imamoglu’s arrest as part of an ongoing effort to stifle opposition ahead of future elections.