The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, has been formally arrested and charged with corruption, following a court ruling on March 23, 2025. Imamoglu, a political adversary of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was taken into custody on March 19, just days before he was set to be named as the presidential candidate for the 2028 election.
Since his arrest, protests have erupted across Turkey, marking some of the largest demonstrations in over a decade. Over four nights, thousands of citizens have taken to the streets in opposition to Imamoglu’s detention. His police interrogation lasted for hours, during which he unequivocally denied the charges posed against him.
“I see today during my interrogation that I and my colleagues are faced with unimaginable accusations and slanders,” Imamoglu stated, explaining that the accusations are unfounded. “These slanders will bounce back after hitting the walls in the heart of our nation.” His comments were rendered during a counter-terrorism police interrogation where he was reportedly asked over 70 questions.
The events surrounding Imamoglu's situation began to intensify when Istanbul University announced on March 22 that it would revoke his degree due to alleged irregularities. If this measure holds, it could disqualify him from the presidential race, as the Turkish constitution mandates that candidates must have completed higher education.
Since his incarceration, the authorities have attempted to suppress public outcry by instating a four-day ban on gatherings in Istanbul, a measure which was subsequently extended to Ankara and Izmir. Erdogan has accused Imamoglu's supporting party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), of seeking to upset public peace, declaring, “They are trying to disturb the peace and polarize our people.”
Imamoglu, who has recently gained ground in opinion polls, is viewed as one of Erdogan's most significant political opponents. He was expected to be the sole nominee for the CHP for president on March 23, moments before his arrest.
As the political landscape shifts rapidly, demonstrators have gathered outside courthouses and city halls in several regions, asserting their rights to assemble peacefully. In response, Turkey’s Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, announced that 343 individuals have been detained in protests across major cities.
The government’s use of police force, which included pepper spray and tear gas, has raised concerns over the handling of public demonstrations. Images from protests depict clashes between rights activists and police as they seek to voice their dissatisfaction with the government's actions. “Rights, law, justice!” was the rallying cry of many protesters as they expressed solidarity for Imamoglu, chanting slogans demanding his release.
Imamoglu's case continues to fuel public scrutiny, with many citizens viewing the legal actions against him as politically motivated efforts to diminish opposition ahead of an election that many see as pivotal for Turkey's future governance. With the political landscape changing dramatically and the 2028 elections approaching, tensions are set to escalate.
The CHP has urged supporters to demonstrate peacefully and has called on citizens to safeguard a symbolic election set to take place on March 23, emphasizing their collective strength against governmental repression. The potential nomination of Imamoglu and his subsequent arrest reveal a crucial moment in contemporary Turkish politics, where democracy and dissent intertwine amid an increasingly fraught political environment.
Authorities continue to grapple with the growing unrest as they scale back on civil liberties in the face of mounting opposition. As the political climate remains fraught, the nation watches closely, poised for potential shifts in power and governance amid continued challenges to authority.
