Corruption Investigation Leads to Arrest
The court ruled that Ekrem İmamoğlu, along with at least 20 others, was jailed as part of a corruption investigation. Meanwhile, a separate decision regarding terrorism-related investigations is still under consideration.İmamoğlu’s lawyer stated that the Çağlayan Court is expected to decide whether to indict or release him after four consecutive nights of mass protests. These demonstrations marked the most intense street unrest in Turkey in over a decade.
Political Impact and Opposition Reaction
As one of Erdoğan’s strongest political rivals, İmamoğlu’s arrest comes just days before he was expected to be nominated as the opposition CHP candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Speaking during police questioning on Saturday, the popular opposition mayor dismissed the charges as “immoral and baseless.”In response to his detention, protests erupted throughout Istanbul and quickly spread to over 55 of Turkey’s 81 provinces. The demonstrations escalated into violent clashes between police and protesters.
Police Crackdown and Mass Arrests
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on X that following large-scale protests on Saturday night, authorities arrested 323 people. Riot police used rubber bullets, pepper spray, and stun grenades to disperse the crowds, forcing some protesters to seek refuge inside City Hall.In the capital city of Ankara, police used water cannons to break up gatherings, while in Izmir, officers blocked a student march toward the local AKP offices.
CHP Stands Firm on İmamoğlu’s Candidacy
Despite his arrest, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) reaffirmed İmamoğlu as its presidential candidate, launching the voting process on Sunday at 8 AM. The party invited both members and the general public to express their support.During protests in Istanbul, demonstrators held signs with messages like “Dictators are cowards!” and “AKP, you cannot silence us!” CHP leader Özgür Özel addressed a massive crowd, claiming the number of protesters exceeded 500,000.
Legal Proceedings and Nationwide Protests
According to reports, İmamoğlu’s first interrogation session began at 7:30 PM, followed shortly by a second session, concluding at 7:30 AM. Tight security surrounded the courthouse, with around 1,000 protesters gathering and chanting slogans.Before appearing in court, the 53-year-old mayor denounced the accusations, stating that his arrest had severely damaged Turkey’s reputation. He argued that the government’s actions not only hurt Turkey’s international credibility but also shook public trust in the justice system and the economy.
