Turkish prosecutors on Sunday formally requested the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a leading opposition figure and key challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, over allegations of corruption and links to terrorism.
A court is expected to rule on whether Imamoglu will be charged and held in custody pending trial.
His detention has triggered nationwide protests, with demonstrators rallying in multiple cities, decrying what they see as a politically motivated effort to sideline him ahead of Turkey’s 2028 presidential election. The government denies the accusations, insisting the judiciary operates independently.
Imamoglu faced two rounds of questioning—first over corruption allegations and later regarding claims of aiding the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), according to Cumhuriyet newspaper. He rejected all charges before being transferred to a courthouse along with about 90 others detained in the same operation.
Authorities restricted access to the courthouse, blocking roads and closing metro stations. Despite the heavy police presence, protesters gathered outside, chanting: “Rights, law, justice!”
Largest Protests in Over a Decade
For a fourth consecutive night, demonstrators took to the streets, including outside Istanbul’s city hall, in what has become Turkey’s biggest wave of protests in more than a decade.
While most rallies remained peaceful, some protesters attempting to breach police barricades threw flares and stones, prompting security forces to respond with pepper spray. In Ankara, water cannons and tear gas were used to disperse crowds.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 323 people were detained overnight, warning that authorities would not tolerate unrest.
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Mounting Political Tensions
Imamoglu was arrested Wednesday in a dawn raid on his residence, part of a sweeping crackdown that also saw the detention of two district mayors and several other officials.
In response, Istanbul authorities expanded a ban on demonstrations until March 26 and imposed restrictions on vehicles suspected of transporting protesters.
Erdogan accused the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) of turning “a blind eye to municipal corruption” and seeking to divide the nation.
Opposition Pushes Back
Imamoglu’s detention comes just ahead of the CHP’s presidential primary, where he was expected to be nominated. Party leader Ozel confirmed that the vote, open to 1.5 million delegates, would proceed as planned on Sunday.
In a show of defiance, CHP leaders encouraged citizens to participate in a symbolic nationwide vote using makeshift ballot boxes.
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Shortly before arriving at the courthouse, Imamoglu urged the public to “protect the ballot boxes,” warning that the government fears the people’s democratic rights. He previously described his arrest as a “coup” and accused authorities of using the judiciary for political gain.
Source: With input from agency