Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across Turkey after Ekrem Imamoglu, the main rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was formally arrested and charged with corruption.
Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, was set to be selected as the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) 2028 presidential nominee in a vote on Sunday. His arrest has ignited the country’s largest unrest in more than a decade, with police deploying tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse demonstrators.
Turkey’s Worst Unrest Since Gezi Protests
Imamoglu has denounced the allegations as politically motivated.
“I will never bow,” he wrote on X before being remanded in custody.
Protests erupted in major cities, with crowds amassing near Istanbul’s city hall, waving Turkish flags and chanting in defiance of riot police. Authorities responded by using pepper spray and water cannons.
Imamoglu’s wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, addressed demonstrators, saying:
“The injustice my husband has faced has struck a chord with every conscience.”
These demonstrations are the most significant since the Gezi protests of 2013, which began over the demolition of a local park.
Imamoglu’s Charges and Political Fallout
Imamoglu was among over 100 individuals, including politicians, journalists, and businessmen, detained in a corruption investigation. He was formally arrested on Sunday and charged with:
- Establishing and managing a criminal organization
- Taking bribes and extortion
- Unlawfully recording personal data
- Rigging a public tender
He was suspended as mayor and remanded in custody at a prison in Silivri pending trial.
Mass Protests Across Turkey
Demonstrations have taken place in at least 55 of Turkey’s 81 provinces, according to a French news agency tally.
More than 700 arrests have been made since protests began, with riot police clashing with demonstrators after dark.
“We won’t give in to despair,” said Aslihan, 38, while waiting to cast her ballot.
International Concerns Over Democracy in Turkey
Imamoglu has called his arrest a “black stain on our democracy” and urged nationwide protests.
His supporters claim that the arrest is part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures ahead of the 2028 elections, in which Erdogan is constitutionally barred from running unless he changes the law.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Ministry of Justice insists the judiciary is independent and dismissed claims of Erdogan’s involvement.
Social Media Crackdown & Election Controversy
On Sunday, X’s Global Government Affairs department objected to Turkish regulators’ orders to block over 700 accounts, including those of opposition politicians and journalists. X called the move:
“Unlawful and a hindrance to Turkish citizens’ access to news and political discourse.”
Adding to the controversy, Istanbul University announced it was revoking Imamoglu’s degree over alleged irregularities. This could jeopardize his eligibility to run for president, as the Turkish constitution requires candidates to have completed higher education.
His lawyers have vowed to appeal to the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
What’s Next?
The Supreme Election Council will determine whether Imamoglu qualifies as a presidential candidate. If convicted, he will be barred from running.
The CHP reported that nearly 15 million people cast ballots on Sunday in an informal election to show solidarity with Imamoglu.
With protests escalating nationwide, Turkey faces its most turbulent political crisis in years. The outcome of Imamoglu’s legal battle could shape the country’s democratic future and determine the fate of the 2028 presidential election.
