Istanbul Mayor and Erdogan Rival Detained in Sweeping Crackdown

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu Arrested Amid Widening Crackdown on Opposition

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent opposition figure and a leading rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been detained just days before he was expected to be selected as a presidential candidate.

Imamoglu, a member of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), was arrested as part of a large-scale corruption investigation that has also ensnared 100 other individuals, including politicians, journalists, and business figures. Prosecutors have accused him of being a “criminal organization leader suspect,” though his supporters denounce the charges as politically motivated.

Turkish authorities have imposed a four-day restriction on demonstrations in Istanbul following the arrests, while police have closed several streets and metro lines. Reports indicate that access to social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok has been restricted.

Speaking after his arrest, Imamoglu condemned the charges, declaring that “the will of the people cannot be silenced.” In a video message, he vowed to “stand resolute” in defending democracy and justice in Turkey.

His arrest is the latest in a broader crackdown on opposition figures in Turkey, raising concerns about the country’s democratic integrity. Imamoglu’s CHP party has labeled the legal action against him a “coup attempt” aimed at preventing him from challenging Erdogan in the next presidential election.

Adding to the controversy, Istanbul University recently annulled Imamoglu’s academic degree over alleged irregularities—a decision that could disqualify him from running for the presidency under Turkey’s constitutional requirements. Imamoglu denounced the move as “legally baseless” and accused authorities of interfering in the democratic process.

The crackdown follows Imamoglu’s landslide victory in last year’s local elections, in which he secured a second term as Istanbul’s mayor, dealing Erdogan’s ruling party a significant defeat in both Istanbul and Ankara. This marked the first time in over two decades that Erdogan’s party suffered such losses at the ballot box.

Pro-government media have also accused Imamoglu of having ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a claim his supporters dismiss as an attempt to discredit him.

With Istanbul’s streets on edge and growing international scrutiny, the unfolding events are seen as a critical test of Turkey’s democratic institutions and the future of its opposition movement.