Turkey has removed its opposition leader, Ekrem Imamoglu, from office and jailed him pending trial on corruption charges, hobbling his bid for the country’s next presidential election. The move has sparked widespread protests across the country.
Imamoglu, who was set to be named as the presidential candidate of Turkey’s main opposition party, has denied the allegations against him. However, prosecutors accuse him of leading a criminal organization and overseeing bribery, bid rigging, and other financial misdeeds at City Hall.
The court ordered his detention on accusations of corruption pending a trial. State prosecutors have also accused him of supporting terrorism through his political coordination with a pro-Kurdish group during local elections last year.
Despite his detention, the opposition party went ahead with a primary to designate him as its presidential candidate. The move has been met with support from many Turks, who see it as a demonstration of their distrust in the government.
Protesters have taken to the streets nightly, despite efforts by the government to restrict their movements. Social media access has been restricted, and major transit hubs have been closed to prevent protesters from gathering in public squares.
The opposition leader’s detention has also had an impact on the country’s economy, with Turkey’s stock market and currency falling significantly since his arrest.
The move is seen as a new level of authoritarianism by critics of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics for over two decades. European leaders have criticized the opposition leader’s arrest, while senior U.S. officials have remained silent on the matter.
Erdogan’s current presidential term expires in 2028, and many people expect him to run again if Parliament calls for early elections. This could potentially bar Imamoglu from the race, adding to the tensions ahead of the election.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/23/world/middleeast/turkey-ekrem-imamoglu-istanbul.html