Turkish cops took the Istanbul mayor into custody right before he could become a presidential candidate. Ekrem Imamoglu belongs to the secular Republican People's Party. Many view him as the strongest rival against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The prosecutors called him a criminal group leader, accusing him of helping terrorists.
Police grabbed about 100 people during this investigation, including other politicians, reporters, and business leaders. The Istanbul governor ordered four days of restrictions across the city. Imamoglu posted online that nobody can silence what people want. He filmed a video message with police outside his home saying he stands firm for Turkish citizens and democracy supporters worldwide.
After they arrested him, Imamoglu wrote by hand that Turkish people would answer all the lies and schemes against him. Angry crowds filled streets and campuses around Turkey, shouting anti-government messages - something rarely seen recently. Reuters showed footage of police spraying pepper pellets at people gathered near Istanbul University.
Officials banned public meetings in Istanbul during the four-day restrictions. But more protests keep growing as opposition leaders urge citizens to speak up. His wife has asked everyone to raise their voices against this action. The government closed many streets to traffic and shut down several subway lines across Istanbul.
An internet watchdog group based in Britain reported that Turkey blocked major social sites like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X on Wednesday. This arrest fits into a bigger pattern of recent crackdowns targeting opposition leaders, city governments, journalists, and entertainment figures throughout the country.
After they took the mayor, many worried online about Turkey moving toward dictatorship. Some suggested boycotting the next presidential election, believing fair voting seems impossible. His political party called the arrests a coup against their future president, and many opposition supporters agreed.
The justice minister criticized anyone connecting President Erdogan to these arrests. Minister Yilmaz Tunc claimed linking politics to this case was dangerous and wrong. He insisted everyone must follow Turkish laws equally. Erdogan and his party rejected all accusations, claiming Turkish courts work independently. Erdogan has run Turkey for 22 years.
Last year, Imamoglu won his second term as Istanbul mayor when his party swept local elections there and in Ankara. This marked the first nationwide defeat for Erdogan's party since he gained power. These election results personally hurt the president, who grew up in Istanbul and once served as its mayor before rising to national leadership.
Dozens of police officers were involved in early morning raids at Imamoglu's Istanbul home. His party plans to officially select its presidential candidate this Sunday, with Imamoglu as the only person running. Just one day before his arrest, Istanbul University canceled his college degree, claiming problems with his credentials.
This degree cancellation could block him from presidential races if courts uphold it. Turkish law requires presidents to finish higher education. Imamoglu called the university's decision legally wrong and added that schools must stay independent from political pressure. Presidential elections happen next in 2028. Erdogan cannot run again under current rules since he has already served his limit.
The only ways Erdogan could run again involve changing the constitution or calling early elections. Besides fraud claims, authorities accuse Imamoglu of helping the PKK group. This Kurdish organization fought against Turkey since 1984. The US, UK, EU, and Turkey all label it a terrorist organization. The PKK recently announced plans to stop fighting after talks between Turkish officials and their jailed leader.
International leaders reacted badly to the arrest. Officials from the EU, France, and Germany all criticized the move. The Council of Europe stated that detaining Imamoglu shows all signs of pressuring a main presidential candidate. The Turkish currency dropped to record lows against the dollar as markets worried about political stability.
Legal pressure against Imamoglu existed before this arrest. He faced multiple investigations and received a political ban in December 2022 for allegedly insulting election officials back in 2019. He appealed that decision, which remains undecided. Other cases involve claims of irregular contracts during his time as district mayor. Officials also recently filed a new case against him for criticizing a prosecutor.
Police grabbed about 100 people during this investigation, including other politicians, reporters, and business leaders. The Istanbul governor ordered four days of restrictions across the city. Imamoglu posted online that nobody can silence what people want. He filmed a video message with police outside his home saying he stands firm for Turkish citizens and democracy supporters worldwide.
After they arrested him, Imamoglu wrote by hand that Turkish people would answer all the lies and schemes against him. Angry crowds filled streets and campuses around Turkey, shouting anti-government messages - something rarely seen recently. Reuters showed footage of police spraying pepper pellets at people gathered near Istanbul University.
Officials banned public meetings in Istanbul during the four-day restrictions. But more protests keep growing as opposition leaders urge citizens to speak up. His wife has asked everyone to raise their voices against this action. The government closed many streets to traffic and shut down several subway lines across Istanbul.
An internet watchdog group based in Britain reported that Turkey blocked major social sites like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X on Wednesday. This arrest fits into a bigger pattern of recent crackdowns targeting opposition leaders, city governments, journalists, and entertainment figures throughout the country.
After they took the mayor, many worried online about Turkey moving toward dictatorship. Some suggested boycotting the next presidential election, believing fair voting seems impossible. His political party called the arrests a coup against their future president, and many opposition supporters agreed.
The justice minister criticized anyone connecting President Erdogan to these arrests. Minister Yilmaz Tunc claimed linking politics to this case was dangerous and wrong. He insisted everyone must follow Turkish laws equally. Erdogan and his party rejected all accusations, claiming Turkish courts work independently. Erdogan has run Turkey for 22 years.
Last year, Imamoglu won his second term as Istanbul mayor when his party swept local elections there and in Ankara. This marked the first nationwide defeat for Erdogan's party since he gained power. These election results personally hurt the president, who grew up in Istanbul and once served as its mayor before rising to national leadership.
Dozens of police officers were involved in early morning raids at Imamoglu's Istanbul home. His party plans to officially select its presidential candidate this Sunday, with Imamoglu as the only person running. Just one day before his arrest, Istanbul University canceled his college degree, claiming problems with his credentials.
This degree cancellation could block him from presidential races if courts uphold it. Turkish law requires presidents to finish higher education. Imamoglu called the university's decision legally wrong and added that schools must stay independent from political pressure. Presidential elections happen next in 2028. Erdogan cannot run again under current rules since he has already served his limit.
The only ways Erdogan could run again involve changing the constitution or calling early elections. Besides fraud claims, authorities accuse Imamoglu of helping the PKK group. This Kurdish organization fought against Turkey since 1984. The US, UK, EU, and Turkey all label it a terrorist organization. The PKK recently announced plans to stop fighting after talks between Turkish officials and their jailed leader.
International leaders reacted badly to the arrest. Officials from the EU, France, and Germany all criticized the move. The Council of Europe stated that detaining Imamoglu shows all signs of pressuring a main presidential candidate. The Turkish currency dropped to record lows against the dollar as markets worried about political stability.
Legal pressure against Imamoglu existed before this arrest. He faced multiple investigations and received a political ban in December 2022 for allegedly insulting election officials back in 2019. He appealed that decision, which remains undecided. Other cases involve claims of irregular contracts during his time as district mayor. Officials also recently filed a new case against him for criticizing a prosecutor.
