Istanbul mayor arrested ahead of likely presidential nomination
Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition mayor of Istanbul and prominent political adversary to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been detained amid an investigation by Turkish authorities. The case allegedly involves accusations of corruption and connections to terrorist activities. This development arrives shortly before Imamoglu was anticipated to be named as a presidential contender.
The state-run Anadolu Agency reported that Imamoglu was arrested on Wednesday. Additionally, prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for 100 more individuals, encompassing a range of Turkish figures such as politicians, journalists, and businessmen.
The news agency reported that prosecutors have accused Imamoglu, a member of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), of being a suspected leader of a criminal organization.
The Istanbul governor’s office has announced a four-day restriction period, during which several roads will be closed and demonstrations will be prohibited. This decision appears to be aimed at maintaining public order and preventing any potential provocative actions in the wake of recent arrests.
The apprehension occurs as the CHP had planned to conduct a primary election on March 23, where Imamoglu was anticipated to be selected as the party’s presidential hopeful. The next scheduled presidential election is set for 2028, although there is speculation about the possibility of early elections.
Imamoglu took to social media to assert that the people’s voice “cannot be silenced.”
In a video message released online, the 53-year-old pledged unwavering support for the citizens of Turkey and all individuals globally committed to upholding democracy and justice.
In a resolute statement, he affirmed his unwavering commitment to advocating for essential rights and freedoms.
Imamoglu accused the Turkish government of undermining the democratic will of its citizens, stating, “We are confronting significant oppression, yet I want to assure you that I remain undeterred.”
Özgür Özel, the chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has condemned the arrest of Imamoglu, characterizing it as a “coup.”
He asserted that there is an existing force actively working to obstruct the nation’s ability to elect the next president. “We are encountering an attempted coup against the successor to the presidency,” he stated.
According to the NetBlocks Internet Observatory, Turkey has implemented restrictions on access to several social media platforms, specifically X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Istanbul University has annulled the diploma of Ekrem Imamoglu, citing reported irregularities regarding his 1990 transfer from a private institution in Northern Cyprus to its business administration faculty. Should this decision be confirmed, it could disqualify Imamoglu from standing in upcoming presidential elections.
The Turkish lira reached a historic low against the dollar on Wednesday following the detention of a prominent opposition mayor, marking a significant downturn in the country’s currency value.
In 2022, Ekrem Imamoglu was handed a prison sentence exceeding two and a half years following his conviction for making derogatory remarks about public officials during a speech. Imamoglu is in the process of appealing the decision.
