On a brisk Sunday morning in Istanbul, crowds gathered outside the city’s main courthouse, their voices echoing off the stone walls as they waited for a glimpse of Ekrem Imamoglu, the city’s jailed mayor and one of Turkey’s most prominent opposition figures. Imamoglu, who has been held in pretrial detention since March 2025 on corruption charges that he staunchly denies, was brought out of Marmara Prison for the first time in seven months. The reason: a newly launched investigation, this time for possible espionage.
The scene outside the courthouse was electric. Hundreds of supporters, waving banners and chanting slogans, had come to show solidarity with Imamoglu, who is widely seen as a leading rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The mood was one of defiance and hope, even as the details of the latest accusations swirled through the crowd. According to The Associated Press, the investigation was launched just two days prior, on October 24, 2025, and centers on alleged links between Imamoglu’s political campaign and a man arrested in July who stands accused of conducting intelligence activities for foreign states.
Imamoglu was not the only one called in for questioning. His former campaign manager, Necati Ozkan, and journalist Merdan Yanardag were also summoned as part of the probe. The authorities’ focus on Imamoglu and his close associates has only fueled suspicions among critics that the government’s actions are aimed less at rooting out wrongdoing and more at stifling political opposition.
For Imamoglu, the day marked a rare journey outside the confines of Marmara Prison, located on the outskirts of Istanbul. Since his arrest in March, he has been at the center of a political storm. His detention, and those of other mayors from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), are widely viewed by critics as part of a broader crackdown following the opposition’s significant gains in last year’s local elections. Several CHP-run municipalities have faced waves of arrests throughout the year, a trend that has alarmed both domestic and international observers concerned about the state of democracy in Turkey.
As the courthouse doors swung open and Imamoglu was led inside for questioning, the crowd outside grew louder. Among them was CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel, who addressed supporters with a call to peaceful resistance. "As long as these interrogations continue, as long as this cruelty continues, as long as this oppression continues, we will struggle democratically — without harming anyone and without allowing anyone to trample our dignity," Ozel declared, his words carrying over the heads of the assembled crowd, as reported by The Associated Press.
The sentiment was echoed by many in attendance. Faruk Kilic, a 26-year-old electrician, had joined the rally to protest what he described as ongoing injustices against Imamoglu. "I believe these injustices will never cease, so I will offer my support till the very end," Kilic told The Associated Press. His words captured the determination felt by many who see Imamoglu’s legal troubles as emblematic of a broader struggle for political freedom in Turkey.
Imamoglu’s original arrest in March 2025 on corruption charges sparked nationwide protests, with thousands taking to the streets in cities across the country. The government, for its part, has consistently maintained that Turkey’s judiciary is independent and that the investigations are strictly focused on corruption. President Erdogan’s administration has dismissed allegations of political interference, insisting that the legal process is being followed.
Yet, the timing and nature of the charges have prompted skepticism, both within Turkey and abroad. The espionage investigation, in particular, has raised eyebrows. Launched just days before Imamoglu’s court appearance, it centers on alleged connections between his political campaign and a man arrested in July 2025, who is accused of intelligence activities for foreign states. The authorities have not publicly disclosed the identity of the foreign states involved or the specific nature of the purported intelligence activities, leaving room for speculation and fueling the sense of uncertainty that hangs over the case.
Imamoglu’s supporters argue that the charges are part of a calculated effort to sideline a political rival who has proven to be a formidable challenger to Erdogan’s rule. Imamoglu, a member of the CHP, rose to national prominence after winning the Istanbul mayoralty in a hotly contested election, dealing a significant blow to Erdogan’s party in a city long considered its stronghold. Since then, he has become a symbol of opposition resilience, and his legal troubles have only heightened his profile.
The impact of Imamoglu’s arrest has reverberated far beyond Istanbul. According to Arab News, critics view the wave of arrests targeting CHP mayors and officials as an attempt to roll back the gains made by the opposition in the last local elections. Several municipalities run by the CHP have faced similar legal challenges, leading to concerns about the erosion of local democracy and the centralization of power.
Despite the government’s insistence on judicial independence, the optics of the case are hard to ignore. The sight of a popular opposition leader being led into court in handcuffs, while his supporters rally outside, has become a powerful symbol of the current political climate in Turkey. For many, it is a reminder of the stakes involved in the ongoing struggle between the ruling party and the opposition.
Journalist Merdan Yanardag, who was also questioned as part of the espionage probe, has been a vocal critic of the government’s approach to dissent. The inclusion of both political and media figures in the investigation has drawn attention to the broader issue of press freedom in Turkey, where journalists have faced increasing pressure in recent years.
As the day wore on, the crowd outside the courthouse remained steadfast. Some held up signs demanding justice, while others sang songs or recited poetry in support of Imamoglu and the CHP. The atmosphere was tense but peaceful, with a heavy police presence keeping watch over the proceedings.
For Imamoglu, the outcome of the espionage investigation remains uncertain. He continues to deny all charges against him, insisting on his innocence and vowing to fight for his release. His supporters, meanwhile, have pledged to continue their struggle, both in the courts and in the streets, until what they see as an unjust campaign against the opposition comes to an end.
As the sun set over Istanbul, the courthouse steps slowly cleared, but the sense of determination among Imamoglu’s backers showed no sign of fading. The battle over his fate—and, by extension, the future of opposition politics in Turkey—looks set to continue, with both sides digging in for the long haul.
