Turkey is in the grip of a deepening crisis after the arrest of its top opposition candidate, Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, on corruption charges. The move has sparked widespread protests and raised concerns about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s increasingly authoritarian tactics.
Imamoglu was arrested on March 19 by state prosecutors who accused him of corruption in municipal business and supporting terrorism. He is facing multiple court cases, including one that could see him temporarily barred from politics.
The government has maintained that the charges are not politically motivated, but critics argue that they are aimed at silencing a perceived threat to Erdogan’s power. The opposition party has designated Imamoglu as its candidate in the next presidential election, despite his detention.
Protests have erupted across Turkey, with security forces using pepper spray, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse demonstrators. Over 1,100 people have been detained in relation to the protests, and over 100 police officers were injured.
The move has sparked criticism from European leaders, who describe it as anti-democratic. However, senior American officials have remained silent on the issue. Turkey’s stock market has taken a hit since Imamoglu’s arrest, with some investors considering pulling out of the country due to concerns about the rule of law and potential instability.
Imamoglu’s situation is complex, with his university having annulled his diploma, which could preclude him from running for president. He faces an array of other court cases, including one that could see him barred from politics temporarily. Despite this, he has vowed to fight the government and contest the charges in court.
As Erdogan’s second term draws to a close in 2028, the opposition is gaining momentum. Imamoglu’s arrest has raised hopes among some that they can challenge Erdogan’s dominance, but it remains to be seen how much traction they will gain.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/world/europe/turkey-protests-istanbul-erdogan-imamoglu.html