Erdogan rival arrested days before becoming presidential candidate
Turkish authorities have detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent opposition leader, just days before he was set to be selected as a presidential candidate. Imamoglu, a member of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), is considered one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s strongest political rivals.
Prosecutors have accused Imamoglu of corruption and aiding a terrorist group, labeling him a “criminal organization leader suspect.” As part of the investigation, police detained 100 people, including politicians, journalists, and businessmen. The Istanbul governor’s office has also imposed four days of restrictions across the city.
In a social media video recorded while police surrounded his home, Imamoglu vowed to “stand resolute” for democracy and justice. Following his arrest, he posted a handwritten note declaring that the people of Turkey would respond to the “lies, conspiracies, and traps” set against him.
Protests erupted across Turkey, including on university campuses and in underground stations, with crowds chanting anti-government slogans. Clashes between demonstrators and police were reported, with officers using pepper spray pellets to disperse crowds outside Istanbul University. The government has banned public gatherings in the city, but opposition leaders, including Imamoglu’s wife, have urged people to continue protesting.
The arrest is part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures, journalists, and municipal officials in recent months. The CHP condemned the move as “a coup against our next president,” while social media reactions raised concerns over Turkey’s democratic future. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc dismissed claims that Erdogan was behind the arrests, insisting that Turkey’s judiciary remains independent.
Imamoglu’s detention followed another political blow: Istanbul University annulled his degree over alleged irregularities, a move that could disqualify him from running for president. The Turkish constitution requires presidential candidates to have completed higher education. Imamoglu called the decision “legally baseless” and warned against political interference in academic institutions.
The international community has reacted negatively, with EU, French, and German officials condemning the arrest. The Council of Europe described the move as an attempt to silence a key opposition figure. The Turkish lira briefly crashed to an all-time low against the US dollar as markets reacted to the political uncertainty.
This is not the first time Imamoglu has faced legal pressure. He was handed a political ban in 2022 over alleged insults against Turkey’s electoral board, a verdict he has appealed. Additional cases have been filed against him over alleged financial irregularities during his tenure as mayor of Istanbul’s Beylikduzu district. His most recent legal challenge came in January when he was accused of criticizing a prosecutor.
Credit: BBC
