Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, was arrested and charged with corruption just days before he was set to register as a candidate to challenge Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 2028 presidential election.
Imamoglu, a prominent rival of Erdogan, denies the allegations, which have sparked widespread protests across Turkey. Demonstrations, some of the largest in over a decade, have continued for four nights, with citizens demanding justice and condemning what they perceive as an unlawful detention.
Protests erupted outside Istanbul’s mayor’s office, where tear gas filled the air as police attempted to disperse crowds. People of all ages defied government bans on gatherings, chanting slogans like “rights, law, justice.” A young woman at the protest emphasized that her presence was not politically motivated but rather a stand for democracy, liberty, and justice. Another protester, accompanied by her 11-year-old son, expressed concerns about his future, citing the deteriorating living conditions and lack of justice in Turkey.
In Ankara and Izmir, police used water cannons against demonstrators as protests spread nationwide. Authorities imposed a four-day ban on gatherings in Istanbul, later extending it to other cities. Despite the crackdown, thousands have participated in largely peaceful demonstrations. On the third day of protests, Turkish authorities reported 343 arrests.
Imamoglu, seen as Erdogan’s most formidable opponent, was among over 100 individuals, including politicians, journalists, and businessmen, detained as part of an investigation. His arrest followed Istanbul University’s decision to revoke his degree over alleged irregularities, potentially disqualifying him from running for president, as Turkish law requires candidates to hold a higher education degree.
Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey for 22 years, cannot run again in 2028 without constitutional changes. Opposition figures argue that the arrests are politically motivated, but the justice ministry denies any connection to Erdogan, asserting judicial independence. The ongoing unrest highlights deepening political tensions in Turkey.
