Rivals of Mayor of Istanbul and President Erdogan have been arrested

Turkish authorities have detained Mayor of Istanbul a few days before he is scheduled to be selected as a presidential candidate.

Ekrem Imamogul of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP) is considered one of Turkish Receptacle Tayp Erdogan’s strongest political rivals.

Prosecutors accused him of corruption and supporting terrorist groups, calling him a “surprising leader of a criminal organization.”

Police detained 100 people, including other politicians, journalists and businessmen as part of the investigation, and the Istanbul Governor’s Office has imposed a four-day limit on the city.

Imamoguru said online, “People’s will cannot be silent.”

In a social media video, he vowed to be “decisive” for all who support democracy and justice around the world.

“I am stuck in my battle for fundamental rights and freedoms,” Imamoguru added.

Protests explode on turkey streets, university campuses and underground stations, with crowds chanting anti-government slogans. It’s an indication of public anger that you won’t see for years.

There have been reports of clashes between protesters and police in Türkiye’s largest city. Reuters footage shows police using pepper spray pellets to disperse crowds outside of Istanbul University.

The government has banned public gatherings in Istanbul as part of the four-day restrictions. However, more protests are expected nationwide as opposition leaders, including Imamoguru’s wife, urge people to “speak up their voices.”

Many streets in Istanbul are also closed to traffic, but some metropolitan lines have also cancelled their services.

UK-based internet watchdog Netblocks said on Wednesday that Turkey is strictly restricting access to social media sites such as X, YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok.

The arrests have come as part of a major national crackdown in recent months, targeting figures from opposition politicians, local governments, journalists and entertainment industry.

Following the arrest of Mayor Istanbul, concerns over the Turkish shift to dictatorship have been expressed on social media, with some calling for a boycott of opponents in the upcoming presidential election, claiming that a fair and democratic vote is no longer possible.

The CHP, the Imamogul party, even denounced the arrest as a “coup against our next president.”

However, the Turkish Justice Minister criticized those who led Erdogan to his arrest.

Yilmaz Tunc said it was “very dangerous and wrong” to suggest this was a political move, arguing that no one had surpassed Turkish law.

Erdogan and his party denied the claim, claiming that Turkish judiciary is independent. He has been in power for 22 years.

Last year, Imamoguru won his second term as mayor of Istanbul.

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.

Dozens of police officers were involved in the early morning raid on Imamoguru’s home in Türkiye’s largest city.

The CHP presidential candidate selection, which is Imamoguru, is the only person, is scheduled to take place on Sunday.

Imamoguru’s arrest came the day after Istanbul University invalidated his degree for alleged fraud – a decision that would prevent him from running in the presidential election if supported.

According to the Turkish constitution, the president must have completed his higher education to carry out his office.

Imamoguru called the move “legally unfounded” and added that “universities must be independent, free from political interference and dedicated to knowledge.”

The presidential election is currently scheduled for 2028. Erdogan is currently his second term and has previously served as prime minister, so he is not currently re-instituted.

The only way Erdogan can challenge another election is to change the constitution or call an early election before the term ends.

Not only was he accused of fear and fraud, but Imamoguru also said he supported the PKK.

The PKK or Kurdistan Workers’ Party – has been in rebellion since 1984 and is banned as a terrorist group in the Turkish, the EU, the UK and the US.

Earlier this month, the group announced its decision to lay weapons following a call from an incarcerated leader who was engaged in consultations with Turkish officials.

The international response to the arrest was negative. The German Foreign Ministry said the arrest was part of a “enhanced legal action” designed to put pressure on Imamogur, but the French Foreign Ministry said it was “deeply concerned” with the arrest.

Meanwhile, the Turkish lira clashed at an all-time low against the US dollar as the market responded poorly to political uncertainty.

While many have been shocked to see the news of Imamoguru’s arrest, legal pressure on popular opposition leaders is far from new.

He faced multiple investigations and was handed a political ban in December 2022 over allegations of insulting Turkish election commission in 2019.

Additionally, he has been the subject of cases related to alleged bid fraud during his tenure as mayor of Istanbul’s Beirikduz district.

Recently, on January 20th, a new lawsuit was filed against him over his criticism of the prosecutor.