Turkish authorities have arrested the city’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, who is a top rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The arrest comes days before Imamoglu was set to become the opposition’s candidate in the next presidential election. Prosecutors accuse him of corruption and terrorism, but opponents say it’s a politically motivated move aimed at silencing a potential challenger.
Imamoglu, 54, denies the allegations and claims that the government orchestrated his arrest. He has faced numerous court cases and charges, including one related to insulting judges on the Supreme Electoral Council, which he is currently appealing.
The opposition party is expected to formally nominate Imamoglu as its presidential candidate despite the arrest. The move could further polarize Turkish politics ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
International leaders have condemned the arrest, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling it “deeply concerning” and Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock saying that Turkey is restricting opposition voices.
The arrest has sparked widespread protests in Istanbul, where thousands of demonstrators gathered outside City Hall. The government has restricted access to social media platforms and banned public demonstrations for four days.
Imamoglu’s arrest is the latest move by Erdogan’s government to consolidate power and silence his opponents ahead of elections.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/world/middleeast/turkey-istanbul-mayor-arrest.html