Getty ImagesTurkish authorities have arrested dozens of people in “provocative” social media posts after the mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamogul was taken into custody on Wednesday.
Imamoguru was one of 106 people held in accusations that included corruption and supportive terrorist groups. This is the move that sparked protests in Istanbul and the capital Ankara.
Imamoguru, a member of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), is a key rival to President Recept Tayyip Erdogan and was scheduled to be nominated later this week as presidential candidate for the 2028 election.
Critics say his arrest was a “coup” and he is planning further demonstrations despite the governor of Istanbul, who bans four-day protests.
Home Minister Ali Yarikaya announced on Thursday morning that police had identified 261 “accused account managers” online who allegedly posted “inciting the public for hatred and hostility” and “inciting to commit crimes.”
“Thirty-seven suspects have been caught and efforts continue to catch other suspects,” he said, adding that by local time on Wednesday (0300 GMT), more than 18.6 million posts had appeared online about Wednesday’s arrest.
A message posted on Imamogul’s X account on Thursday called for Turkey to “a state stand against this evil,” urging members of the judiciary and Erdogan party to fight injustice.
“These events go beyond political parties, political ideals. Now, this process is about our people, your family,” Imamoguru said. “It’s time to speak up.”
The mayor of Istanbul may have spent his first night in detention, but the municipality is still controlled by his opposition parties.
One of Imamoguru’s public speeches rang out from the speakers as commuters boarded the train at a subway station in the city.
The university student marched on the streets, “We are not scared, we will not be silent, we will not follow” – the slogan of Turkish common opposition.
However, the number of protesters is still relatively low in cities with over 16 million. For now, it is unlikely that they will put political pressure on Erdogan to free Imamoguru.
The detained mayor’s office called on protesters to gather for the second consecutive night outside the town hall.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel spoke to supporters at one rally Wednesday night, calling for them to “bury the streets.”
In his speech in Ankara, Erdogan said that the internal issues of the CHP “are not a national concern” and that people do not have “time to waste opposition plays.”
Arrested by Imamoguru and others have followed major national crackdowns in recent months, targeting opposition politicians, journalists and entertainment industry figures.
As part of the threat campaign, there will be more fear to ask questions over the coming weeks.
Opposition figures say the arrests are politically motivated. However, on Wednesday, the Justice Department criticized those who linked Erdogan to his arrest and advocated for their judicial independence.
Imamoguru won his second term last year as mayor of Istanbul. His CHP party took the local elections there.
It was the first time his party has been defeated nationwide in the ballot box since Erdogan came to power.
The election was also a personal blow to the president, who grew up and became mayor of Istanbul with a rise in power.
Erdogan has been in office for the past 22 years as both the prime minister and president of Turkish. Due to time limits, he will not be able to re-inaust in 2028 unless he changes the constitution.
The CHP presidential candidate selection, with 1.5 million members, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, as Imamoguru is the only person.
The party has also asked its citizens to vote in symbolic elections, and plans to place ballot boxes in Turkish districts to show support for detained mayors.
