Istanbul: Demonstrations have persisted for a fifth consecutive night in Istanbul following the detention of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption-related charges. His arrest has sparked widespread unrest, with thousands of people gathering outside city hall each night to voice their opposition.
Imamoglu was formally taken into custody on Sunday after an Istanbul court ruled that financial crimes, including bribery, bid rigging, and unauthorized data collection, warranted his detention. While prosecutors had also attempted to link him to terrorism-related charges, the court limited the accusations to financial misconduct for now. Along with Imamoglu, 47 other municipal officials, including key district mayors, were also arrested and sent to Silivri Prison.
In response to his suspension, the Interior Ministry announced that an interim mayor would be appointed by the municipal council, where Imamoglu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) holds the majority. However, the move has been widely criticized by opposition leaders and sparked mass protests across the city. Riot police have used pepper spray against demonstrators, and clashes escalated over the weekend as security forces detained hundreds of people.
On Saturday, an unprecedented crowd of protesters gathered outside the courthouse, demanding Imamoglu’s release. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that authorities had arrested 323 individuals involved in what he described as attempts to incite unrest. Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has defended the judiciary’s actions, calling on the opposition to respect the legal process rather than politicizing the issue.
Despite Imamoglu’s incarceration, the CHP moved forward with its first-ever presidential primary, where over 1.7 million party members voted. In an extraordinary show of support, more than 13 million non-members also cast symbolic votes, sending a strong message to Erdogan’s government. Speaking from prison, Imamoglu described the turnout as a significant statement of defiance.
His legal troubles extend beyond this case, as he is also appealing a prior conviction for allegedly insulting election officials. Additionally, Istanbul University recently revoked his diploma over alleged irregularities, a decision that could potentially disqualify him from running for the presidency under Turkish law.
The CHP leadership has denounced the arrest as an attack on democracy, with party chairman Ozgur Ozel condemning the government’s actions as authoritarian. International pressure is also growing, with Germany and the Council of Europe calling for Imamoglu’s immediate release.
Despite rising criticism, Erdogan’s administration insists on allowing the judicial process to proceed without interference. However, as protests intensify and opposition support surges, Imamoglu’s case could become a pivotal moment in Turkey’s political future.
