theglobalsun – Protests erupted across Istanbul and other cities after Turkish authorities detained Ekrem Imamoglu. The popular mayor of Istanbul and a leading opposition candidate for the presidency. Police accused Imamoglu of corruption, fraud, and aiding a terrorist group, calling him a “criminal organisation leader suspect.”
The Republican People’s Party (CHP) planned to officially nominate him as their presidential candidate just days before authorities arrested him. Imamoglu, widely seen as President Erdogan’s strongest political rival. Imamoglu declared online, “The will of the people cannot be silenced,” while protesters clashed with riot police across university campuses and train stations.
Footage shows police dispersing crowds with pepper spray. The Istanbul governor’s office has imposed a four-day restriction on public gatherings, but opposition leaders, including Imamoglu’s wife, continue to urge citizens to “raise their voices.”
Government Crackdown and Social Media Blackouts Spark Protests
Turkish authorities detained over 100 individuals, including journalists and politicians, during related raids. The government also restricted access to social media platforms such as X, Instagram, and YouTube, according to the internet watchdog NetBlocks.
The arrests are part of a broader national crackdown that has targeted dissenting voices across media, politics, and the entertainment industry. The CHP has condemned the move as “a coup against our next president.” Reflecting growing public sentiment that Turkey is drifting toward authoritarian rule.
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Imamoglu’s Candidacy Threatens Erdogan’s Grip on Power
Last year, Imamoglu secured a second term as Istanbul’s mayor after defeating Erdogan’s party across key municipalities. His rising political influence poses a serious challenge to Erdogan, whose rule spans over two decades.
The timing of Imamoglu’s arrest — following the annulment of his university degree by Istanbul University — suggests a coordinated effort to block his presidential bid. Under Turkey’s constitution, presidential candidates must hold a university degree, a requirement Imamoglu insists he meets.
Despite his legal troubles, Imamoglu remains defiant. Stating in a video recorded as police surrounded his home that he would continue fighting for democracy in Turkey.
Protests Spark Global Condemnation as Markets React to Imamoglu’s Arrest
The European Union, Germany, and France have publicly condemned Imamoglu’s arrest. A Council of Europe statement noted the detention “bears all the hallmarks of pressure on a political figure considered as one of the main candidates in forthcoming presidential elections.”
The Turkish lira dropped to a record low against the US dollar following the news. Highlighting market anxiety over the nation’s political future.
Although Erdogan has denied any involvement, critics say the judiciary lacks independence. Authorities have long targeted Imamoglu with legal challenges, including a political ban in 2022 and multiple cases tied to his earlier role as mayor of Beylikduzu.
Presidential elections are currently set for 2028, and Erdogan cannot run again unless he calls an early election or amends the constitution. Observers say the coming weeks will determine whether Imamoglu’s arrest is a turning point for Turkey’s democratic future.
