In a dramatic political move, Turkish authorities have arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent figure from the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) on charges of corruption, bribery, and links to terrorism.
İmamoğlu’s detention, which occurred on March 19, 2025, has ignited a political storm, particularly as his party was expected to nominate him as their candidate for the upcoming presidential elections.
İmamoğlu, widely seen as one of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s most formidable political challengers, is facing multiple legal investigations.
The charges against him include involvement in rigging municipal tenders, leading a criminal organization, and providing support to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group labeled as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the US and the EU.
The Istanbul prosecutor’s office has initiated two major investigations involving over 100 people, including journalists and businessmen, who are suspected of being part of a large-scale corruption scheme within the Istanbul Municipality.
Despite the gravity of the accusations, İmamoğlu has remained resolute, posting a video message on social media where he vowed to continue fighting against the charges. He emphasized that he would not back down in the face of what he believes is political persecution aimed at undermining his position.
In a further blow to İmamoğlu’s political future, Istanbul University recently annulled his academic degree. This decision, if upheld by the courts, could prevent him from running for president in 2028, which many see as part of a coordinated effort to sideline him.
The arrest has sparked outrage from opposition leaders, who have condemned the government’s actions as politically motivated.
To suppress public demonstrations, the Istanbul Governor’s Office has imposed a four-day ban on protests and public gatherings across the city, a move widely criticized as an authoritarian tactic to silence opposition voices ahead of the next election.
İmamoğlu has become a symbol of resistance to the Erdoğan administration, having previously defeated the ruling AK Party in the 2019 Istanbul mayoral elections.
His political rise has made him a leading challenger to Erdoğan, and his detention is expected to have significant implications for Turkiye’s political landscape.
As tensions escalate, many are questioning the future of democratic freedoms in Turkiye and whether the political environment will remain conducive to fair competition in the upcoming elections.
