Turkish police arrest Istanbul mayor, escalating government crackdown
Istanbul: Turkish police arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on Wednesday who is a key opposition leader and political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Imamoglu was detained early in the morning following a raid on his residence. His close aide Murat Ongun, two district mayors, and around 100 other individuals were also taken into custody.
Authorities accuse Imamoglu and others of financial irregularities and alleged ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s office later obtained a court order to seize a construction company partially owned by Imamoglu, citing financial misconduct flagged by the country’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board.
Political and legal context
Imamoglu has faced multiple legal challenges. A day before his arrest, Istanbul University invalidated his diploma, which could disqualify him from future presidential elections. The university cited alleged irregularities in his 1990 transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus. Imamoglu is also appealing a 2022 conviction for allegedly insulting members of Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council.
The mayor’s arrest follows significant electoral losses for Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in local elections last year. Imamoglu was re-elected as Istanbul’s mayor in 2024, having previously won in 2019, when his victory ended AKP’s 25-year control of the city.
Public and political response
Following Imamoglu’s detention, Turkish authorities closed several roads in Istanbul and banned demonstrations for four days. Despite this, thousands gathered outside Istanbul’s police headquarters and city hall in protest. The leader of Imamoglu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP), Ozgur Ozel, described the arrests as a "judicial coup." CHP lawmakers also disrupted parliamentary proceedings in Ankara before staging a walkout.
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party condemned the detentions and called for the immediate release of those arrested. Separately, police detained investigative journalist Ismail Saymaz for questioning, and internet-access advocacy group netblocks.org reported restrictions on social media platforms in Turkey.
Economic and international reaction
The Istanbul Stock Exchange’s main index fell by 7 per cent, leading to a temporary halt in trading. The Turkish lira lost 3.5 per cent of its value against the US dollar.
International responses have been critical. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Turkey must uphold democratic values. Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described the arrests as a "blow to democracy." Amnesty International called it an escalation of Turkey’s crackdown on opposition figures.
Future implications
The arrests raise concerns about the political climate in Turkey. Imamoglu was expected to be the CHP’s candidate in the next presidential election, and his party had scheduled a primary for Sunday. CHP leadership has stated that the vote will proceed despite the mayor’s detention.
Erdogan’s current presidential term runs until 2028, but he has suggested he may seek to extend his rule. The latest developments may impact Turkey’s relations with the European Union, which has expressed concerns about the country’s commitment to democratic principles.
(With AP inputs)