Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Key Erdogan Rival, Arrested in Turkey
ISTANBUL — In a significant escalation of the Turkish government’s crackdown on opposition and dissent, police in Turkey arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent opposition figure and key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, along with other notable individuals on Wednesday. The arrests are reportedly linked to investigations into alleged corruption and ties to terrorism.
According to the state-run Anadolu Agency, prosecutors issued warrants for the detention of Imamoglu and approximately 100 others, including Murat Ongun, a close associate of the mayor.
In what appeared to be an effort to prevent potential protests following the arrests, authorities reportedly closed several roads in Istanbul and prohibited demonstrations in the city for a period of four days. Private NTV television reported that two district mayors in Istanbul were also among those detained.
Critics argue that the crackdown is a consequence of the ruling party’s significant losses in local elections last year, amidst increasing demands for early national elections. Government officials, however, maintain that the courts are independent and deny any political motivation behind the legal actions against opposition figures.
The arrest reportedly occurred during a search of Imamoglu’s residence, although it remains unclear whether police seized any items from the site.
Dilek Imamoglu, the mayor’s wife, informed Now television that police arrived at their home before dawn, and the mayor was taken into custody around 7:30 a.m.
News of the mayor’s arrest caused the Istanbul Stock Exchange’s main index to plummet by 7%, leading to a temporary suspension of trading to prevent panic selling and stabilize the market.
Silencing the opposition
The day before, an Istanbul university invalidated Imamoglu’s diploma, effectively making the popular opposition figure ineligible to run in the upcoming presidential race. A university degree is a mandatory requirement for running in elections under Turkish law.
Imamoglu was expected to be chosen as the candidate for future presidential elections at a primary to be held on Sunday by his party, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). While Turkey’s next presidential vote is scheduled for 2028, early elections are considered probable.
The widespread arrests on Wednesday made it seem unlikely that the primary vote would proceed.
“We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged,” Imamoglu stated earlier in the day in a video message shared on social media. He accused the government of “usurping the will” of the people.
In an English-language social media post, Imamoglu declared: “The will of the people cannot be silenced through intimidation or unlawful acts. I stand resolute, entrusting myself not only to the 16 million residents of Istanbul but to the 86 million citizens of (Turkey.)”
CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel condemned Imamoglu’s detention as a “coup.”
“Currently, there is a power in place to prevent the nation from determining the next president,” he said. “We are facing an attempted coup against our next president.”
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party denounced the detentions and demanded the immediate release of all those taken into custody.
“The dawn raid and detention of the mayor of the country’s largest city for political motives is a disgrace that will not be forgotten for centuries. This operation, which shatters faith in justice, is an attempt to redesign politics through the judiciary,” Tulay Hatimogullari, the party’s co-chairwoman, wrote on X.
As he was being arrested, Ongun, Imamoglu’s aide, posted on X about his detention, though he at the time did not appear to know that the mayor was also being taken into custody.
“They think they can silence us and prevent us from defending and supporting Ekrem Imamoglu,” Ongun said. “I entrust Ekrem Imamoglu to the Turkish nation. Protect, watch over and support him. They cannot be defeat the nation.”
Separately, police also detained Ismail Saymaz, a prominent investigative journalist, for questioning, according to the opposition-aligned Halk TV.
Meanwhile, internet-access advocacy group netblocks.org reported on Wednesday that access to popular social media platforms has been restricted in Turkey.
In nullifying Imamoglu’s diploma, Istanbul University cited alleged irregularities in his 1990 transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus to its Faculty of Business Administration. Imamoglu has stated his intention to challenge the decision.
Legal obstacles
The opposition leader is currently facing multiple lawsuits, including allegations of attempting to influence a judicial expert involved in investigating opposition-led municipalities. These cases could potentially lead to prison sentences and a ban from political activity.
Imamoglu is also appealing a 2022 conviction for insulting members of Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council, a case that also carries the risk of a political ban.
He was elected as mayor of Turkey’s largest city in March 2019, marking a significant setback for Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party, which had maintained control over Istanbul for a quarter of a century. The party subsequently pushed to invalidate the municipal election results in the city of 16 million, citing alleged irregularities.
This challenge led to a repeat election a few months later, which Imamoglu also won. The mayor retained his position following local elections last year, during which his party achieved considerable gains against Erdogan’s governing party.
—Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey. Associated Press writer Lorian Belanger in Bangkok contributed to this report.
“`