On Wednesday, Turkish police detained Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul’s influential mayor, over graft and terrorism allegations.
The opposition slammed the move as a politically charged “coup.” Imamoglu, a key CHP member, is President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s top rival. His arrest came just days before the CHP was set to name him its 2028 presidential candidate.
Like Erdogan, who once led Istanbul before rising to power, Imamoglu has built a strong base. Yet, he now faces a wave of legal probes critics call baseless. During a pre-dawn raid, hundreds of police stormed his home. Imamoglu posted on X before his detention, and authorities briefly cut social media access.
Turkish police arrest Istanbul mayor and popular opposition leader Ekrem Imamogluhttps://t.co/FwKlFqtPUk pic.twitter.com/5s3is7VUAf
— TIME (@TIME) March 19, 2025Protests Flare After Ekrem Imamoglu’s Detention
Street protests erupted despite heavy police control. Officers blocked City Hall and Taksim Square, but thousands rallied anyway. The governor banned protests for four days. Still, crowds chanted “Erdogan, dictator!” and “Imamoglu, you’re not alone!” outside City Hall on Wednesday evening. Earlier, hundreds gathered near the police station holding him.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel called the Ekrem Imamoglu detention a coup. “It’s not just his candidacy at stake—it’s the people’s right to choose,” he said. Imamoglu’s wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, agreed. “This targets Turkey’s future leader,” she said, pledging to fight back. Meanwhile, markets reacted sharply. The Turkish lira fell 14.5% against the dollar, and the BIST 100 dropped 8.72%.
Crowds in Ankara and Istanbul, Turkiye protest the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was due to be selected as a presidential candidate for the opposition Republican People's Party. He was among 100 people arrested in an investigation which critics say is politically… pic.twitter.com/b5aeDjwDNp
— Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) March 19, 2025Read: Erdogan Faces Major Electoral Setback as Opposition Gains Ground in Turkey
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc tied Imamoglu to the PKK, a banned terrorist group. A second probe alleges bribery and corruption, involving 100 suspects. Over 80, mostly CHP affiliates were detained Wednesday. For years, Turkey has targeted critics, especially since 2016. Recently, the crackdown intensified, with over a dozen opposition mayors removed. The Ekrem Imamoglu detention marks a bold step up.
Global Eyes on Ekrem Imamoglu Detention
The EU’s Ursula von der Leyen found it “deeply concerning.” Germany called it a democratic setback. However, the U.S. stayed cautious, urging Turkey to respect its rights. Analyst Soner Cagaptay said, “Erdogan aims to kill Imamoglu’s 2028 bid early.” Hours before, Istanbul University revoked Imamoglu’s degree—crucial for presidential eligibility.
‼️‼️‼️ 🇹🇷 Hundreds of thousands of people are currently taking to the streets in Istanbul, Turkey, to protest the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, Erdogan's main political opponent and Istanbul Mayor, by Turkish police.
Imamoglu was arrested by Turkish police today on charges of… pic.twitter.com/mpfM3DfQfm
— Visioner (@visionergeo) March 19, 2025Imamoglu, 53, won re-election in Istanbul last year. As Turkey’s economic heart, the city boosts its clout. Yet, three new cases this year threaten his rise. For now, the Ekrem Imamoglu detention divides Turkey and tests its opposition.
