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İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu Arrested Amid Protests
An İstanbul court has officially detained the city’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, on corruption charges, coinciding with the day he received his party’s nomination to run for president. This has ignited widespread protests throughout the city, drawing tens of thousands of demonstrators.
The mayor, known as a significant political figure opposing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, faces serious allegations, including leading a criminal organization, bribery, misconduct, and corruption. Several of İmamoğlu’s staff and municipal officials have also been implicated in these charges.
In addition, İmamoğlu is entangled in another legal battle, being accused of “aiding an armed terrorist group” due to his collaboration with a leftist political coalition during last year’s local elections.
For five consecutive nights, crowds gathered outside Istanbul’s city hall to protest İmamoğlu’s arrest. Protesters faced police forces that used pepper spray and teargas to control the situation. In Izmir, videos emerged showing police using armored water cannons against protesters.
During a rally, İmamoğlu’s wife, Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, addressed the audience, asserting that the authorities would ultimately be held accountable. “He will defeat you!… You will lose!” she declared passionately.
She emphasized that the injustices faced by İmamoğlu resonate with many citizens, reflecting broader grievances against the government. Ayhan Aydin, a spokesperson for the protests, echoed this sentiment, stating that the public saw a reflection of their own struggles within İmamoğlu’s plight.
While prosecutors deemed İmamoğlu’s arrest warranted due to corruption allegations, they opted not to detain him on terrorism charges at this time. This decision is seen as strategic, allowing the Republican People’s Party (CHP) to maintain governance over the İstanbul municipality rather than allowing the state to appoint a caretaker.
The Turkish Interior Ministry has acted to formally remove İmamoğlu and two district mayors from their positions, replacing one with a trustee in an area considered a stronghold for the opposition. İmamoğlu, who has been taken to Silivri prison, firmly denied the charges against him, arguing that his arrest not only damages Turkey’s international standing but also undermines public trust in its justice system.
His chief spokesman, Murat Ongun, also detained, voiced his grievances on social media, claiming he was wrongfully accused without any substantial evidence.
Moreover, authorities issued court orders targeting over 700 accounts on X, aimed at journalists, political figures, and other critics. The online platform described these actions as unlawful and pledged to protect free speech rights through the legal system.
The dawn arrest of the İstanbul mayor sparked mass protests nationwide, with significant clashes between demonstrators and police. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that 323 additional people were detained in connection with the ongoing investigation into the İstanbul municipality, following an earlier wave of arrests numbering 343 for participation in protests.
Government officials have dismissed considerations that the crackdown on İmamoğlu and other municipal officials stems from political motivations. Despite these assertions, anti-government sentiments have continued to rise, with protests erupting at universities and public squares across the country.
Erdoğan has condemned the protests, branding them “street terrorism.” He posted on X, threatening repercussions for those collaborating with leftist elements and asserting that public order will be maintained against disruption.
On the day İmamoğlu was placed in pre-trial detention, around 1.5 million CHP members participated in a primary vote to officially endorse him as the party’s presidential candidate. İmamoğlu is regarded as the principal contender against Erdoğan in the upcoming elections, which are scheduled for 2028, though an early vote is anticipated.
International responses have been swift, with France’s foreign ministry labeling İmamoğlu’s imprisonment a “serious attack on democracy,” while Germany’s government described it as a significant setback for the nation’s democratic processes.
CHP leader Özgur Özel suggested that Erdoğan’s administration fears electoral defeat, pointing to the stripping of İmamoğlu’s university diploma, which could hinder his presidential ambitions, as a politically charged maneuver.
Özel addressed a crowd outside the city hall, stating, “Ekrem İmamoğlu’s only crime is leading in the polls.” He expressed that while İmamoğlu faces imprisonment, he also embodies the hopes of the presidency. Many protest participants acknowledged that İmamoğlu’s arrest strengthened their resolve to vote, even if the primary was largely symbolic.
The CHP extended voting hours to accommodate the growing turnout. The party even included non-members in the primary, further boosting participation expectations. Protesters voiced their intent to demonstrate solidarity and power through their votes.
In response to the situation, Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş, a prominent CHP figure, remarked on the embarrassment caused by the legal proceedings against İmamoğlu, highlighting the politically charged nature of the situation and the lack of transparency in the legal allegations.
Source
www.theguardian.com