Turkish authorities have arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent opposition leader and a major political challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Alongside İmamoğlu, over 100 individuals, including municipal officials, have been detained as part of a sweeping investigation into alleged corruption and ties to a terrorist organization. The move has sparked widespread criticism, with opposition leaders denouncing it as a politically motivated attack aimed at eliminating Erdoğan’s rivals ahead of future elections.
İmamoğlu, a key figure in the Republican People’s Party (CHP), rose to prominence after his surprise victory in the 2019 mayoral elections, ending the long-standing dominance of Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey’s largest city. His growing popularity has made him a leading contender for the 2028 presidential race. However, the government’s latest actions—including the annulment of his university degree, a requirement for presidential candidates—have raised concerns about efforts to block his political future.
The international community has reacted strongly to the crackdown. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the arrests as an attack on democracy, while financial markets have taken a hit, with the Turkish lira dropping in response to the political turmoil. Despite government claims that the detentions are legally justified, critics argue that this is another example of Erdoğan’s increasing authoritarianism.
