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BREAKING NEWS: Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu Arrested Amid Corruption Allegations, Sparking Protests (Watch Video)

ISTANBUL (AP) — A Turkish court has formally arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on corruption charges, ordering him jailed pending trial. His detention follows a raid on his residence earlier this week, triggering the largest wave of street protests Turkey has seen in over a decade and raising concerns about the country’s democracy and rule of law.


Protests erupt as Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is arrested over corruption charges


The arrest is widely viewed as a political maneuver to eliminate Imamoglu from the 2028 presidential race. Government officials, however, deny any political motivation, insisting that Turkey’s judiciary operates independently.

Despite the arrest, the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is proceeding with a primary election to endorse Imamoglu as its presidential candidate. The party has also set up symbolic “solidarity boxes” nationwide, allowing non-party members to express their support for the embattled mayor.

“Honestly, we are embarrassed in the name of our legal system,” Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, a fellow CHP member, stated, criticizing the secrecy surrounding the legal proceedings.

The Council of Europe has strongly condemned Imamoglu’s detention, calling for his immediate release. “We deplore the decision to place Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in detention and demand his immediate release,” said Marc Cools, head of the organization’s congress of local authorities.

Soner Cagaptay, a political analyst and director at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, sees the move as Erdogan’s attempt to eliminate his strongest opponent. “Erdogan is determined to do whatever it takes to end Imamoglu’s career. (Imamoglu) beats Erdogan in every imaginable presidential poll,” Cagaptay remarked.

He further suggested that the current global political climate enables Erdogan to act without significant international pushback. “The EU is compliant, and the United States is facing inwards,” he noted, referring to geopolitical priorities such as security concerns over Russia.




Even before his arrest, Imamoglu had been entangled in multiple legal battles that could lead to prison sentences and a political ban. He was already appealing a 2022 conviction for allegedly insulting Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council.

Additionally, a university recently nullified his diploma, citing alleged irregularities in his transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus 30 years ago. The decision, which Imamoglu vows to challenge, effectively disqualifies him from running for president, as Turkish law requires candidates to hold a university degree.

Imamoglu’s rise to prominence began with his 2019 mayoral victory in Istanbul, a major setback for Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), which had governed the city for 25 years. The AKP challenged the election results, leading to a rerun, which Imamoglu won again.

Following last year’s local elections, the CHP gained significant ground against Erdogan’s ruling party, further positioning Imamoglu as a formidable opposition leader. His arrest now threatens to deepen political unrest and fuel further protests in Turkey.

Source: AP News

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