Istanbul: Turkish police on Wednesday arrested Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, a key political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and terror links. The arrest marks a dramatic escalation in the government’s crackdown on opposition figures and dissenting voices.
According to the state-run Anadolu Agency, prosecutors issued detention warrants for Imamoglu and around 100 others, including his close aide Murat Ongun. Authorities swiftly moved to tighten security in the city, closing several roads and imposing a four-day ban on demonstrations, seemingly to preempt protests over the arrest.
The crackdown follows Erdogan’s ruling party suffering significant losses in local elections held in March, amid growing calls for early national elections. While government officials insist that Turkey’s judiciary operates independently, critics argue that the legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated.
Imamoglu’s arrest took place during a police search of his residence, though it remains unclear whether any evidence was confiscated. The development came just a day after a university invalidated his diploma, effectively disqualifying him from running in the next presidential election. Under Turkish law, a university degree is a mandatory requirement for candidacy.
The mayor’s party, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was preparing to hold a primary election on Sunday, where Imamoglu was expected to be nominated as a future presidential candidate. While the country’s next presidential election is officially set for 2028, speculation about early elections has been mounting. With Imamoglu and others detained, the likelihood of such a vote has become uncertain.
In a video message posted on social media earlier on Wednesday, Imamoglu condemned the government’s actions, calling it an attempt to “usurp the will” of the people. “We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged,” he declared. CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel strongly denounced Imamoglu’s detention, describing it as a “coup” against democracy. “There is an active effort to prevent the people from choosing their next president,” he stated.
Alongside Imamoglu’s arrest, police also detained investigative journalist Ismail Saymaz for questioning, as reported by the opposition-aligned Halk TV. The move further deepened concerns about press freedom and political repression in Turkey.
The decision to nullify Imamoglu’s diploma was made by Istanbul University, which cited alleged irregularities in his 1990 transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus to its Faculty of Business Administration. Imamoglu has vowed to challenge the ruling.
The opposition leader is already facing multiple legal battles, including accusations of attempting to influence a judicial expert investigating opposition-led municipalities. If convicted, he could face prison time and a political ban. He is also appealing a 2022 conviction for allegedly insulting members of Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council, another case that could lead to his disqualification from politics.
Imamoglu first rose to prominence when he was elected mayor of Istanbul in March 2019, dealing a historic blow to Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), which had controlled the city for 25 years. Erdogan’s party attempted to annul the election results, citing alleged irregularities, leading to a re-run of the vote a few months later. Imamoglu won again, solidifying his position as a major opposition figure.
He retained his seat in local elections last year, during which CHP made significant gains against Erdogan’s ruling party. However, his recent arrest and the ongoing legal battles raise serious concerns over the future of opposition politics in Turkey.
With PTI inputs