Turkish authorities have arrested Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, accusing him of corruption and ties to terrorist groups, sparking widespread outrage and accusations of political persecution.
His detention has been seen as a major escalation in the government’s crackdown on opposition figures.
The arrest followed an investigation by Turkish prosecutors, who claim Imamoglu and about 100 associates were involved in criminal activities, including bribery, extortion, and fraud. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has also accused him of supporting outlawed groups, including the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK).
The move has drawn fierce criticism, especially as it comes just days before Imamoglu was expected to be nominated as the presidential candidate for the Republican People’s Party (CHP). His supporters see the charges as a deliberate attempt to eliminate a strong political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The CHP denounced the arrest as an attack on democracy, calling it “a coup against our next president.”
Adding to the controversy, Istanbul University stripped Imamoglu of his bachelor’s degree a day before his arrest, citing an “obvious error” without providing details. Since a degree is required to run for president, this decision further threatens his political career.
In a video shared on social media before his detention, Imamoglu condemned the arrest, accusing the government of undermining the people’s will. His supporters have taken to the streets in protest, demanding his release and an end to what they call an unjust crackdown on the opposition.