Turkish Court Jails Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Sparking Nationwide Protests
A Turkish court has ordered the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu pending trial, a move that has ignited widespread protests across the country, marking the largest wave of unrest in over a decade. Imamoglu, a prominent opposition figure and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival, was jailed as part of a corruption investigation, according to state media and broadcasters.
The court’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from Turkey’s main opposition party, European leaders, and tens of thousands of protesters, who view the charges as politically motivated. Imamoglu and at least 20 others were detained in connection with the corruption probe, while a separate investigation into alleged ties to a terrorist organization remains ongoing.
The Caglayan court is expected to decide whether to formally charge or release Imamoglu, his lawyer stated. The mayor’s arrest on Wednesday, just days before he was set to be named the presidential candidate for the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), has fueled public outrage and led to nightly protests in over 55 of Turkey’s 81 provinces.
Imamoglu, who denies the allegations, described the charges as “immoral and baseless” during his interrogation. His detention has sparked running battles between protesters and police, with authorities arresting 323 people following mass demonstrations on Saturday, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
Protests Intensify Amid Crackdown
Protests have grown in size and intensity, with demonstrators in Istanbul chanting slogans such as “Dictators are cowards!” and “AKP (Turkey’s ruling party), you will not silence us!” Riot police responded with rubber bullets, pepper spray, and percussion grenades, forcing many protesters to seek refuge inside Istanbul’s City Hall.
In Ankara, police used water cannons to disperse crowds, while in Izmir, officers blocked a student march toward local AKP offices. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel addressed the massive crowd in Istanbul, estimating that over half a million people had joined the protests.
The unrest began shortly after Imamoglu was taken to the courthouse for questioning in the two investigations. The first interrogation lasted from 7:30 PM to midnight, followed by a second session that ended around 7:30 AM, according to media reports and his legal team.
Economic and Political Fallout
The arrest has also had significant economic repercussions, with the Turkish lira sliding and the benchmark BIST 100 index closing nearly 8% lower on Friday. Imamoglu, in a statement released by City Hall, emphasized the damage to Turkey’s international reputation and public trust in the justice system.
“This process has not only harmed Turkey’s international reputation but has also shattered the public’s sense of justice and trust in the economy,” he said.
Despite the crackdown, the CHP proceeded with its primary to nominate Imamoglu as its presidential candidate, opening the vote to all citizens, not just party members. The move aims to demonstrate widespread support for the embattled mayor, who is widely seen as the only politician capable of challenging Erdogan.
Public Outcry and Defiance
Protesters remain defiant, with many drawing parallels to the public support Erdogan received following the failed coup attempt in 2016. “Just as people took to the streets to stand up for Erdogan after the July 15 coup, we are now taking to the streets for Imamoglu,” said 30-year-old Aykut Cenk, holding a Turkish flag outside the courthouse. “We are not the enemy of the state, but what is happening is unlawful.”
The protests continue despite a ban on demonstrations in Turkey’s three largest cities and Erdogan’s warning that the authorities would not tolerate “street terror.” The situation remains tense as the country grapples with one of its most significant political crises in recent years.
