Turmoil in Turkey: Mayor Imamoglu’s arrest sparks nationwide protests

New Delhi, Mar 24: Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, was detained last Wednesday, leading to widespread protests across Turkey. On Sunday, he was officially arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including corruption, extortion, and rigging a public tender leading to more protests, arrests and lathi charge, regional media reported.

The Turkish government says more than 1,100 people have been arrested in five days of demonstrations. Imamoglu, a popular opposition leader, has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. Before being sent to prison, he wrote on social media that he would never bow to pressure. His party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government of trying to silence opposition voices. The government, however, denies involvement and insists the judiciary is acting independently.

Erdogan has criticised the protests, saying they threaten public order, while the Ministry of Justice warned against what it called “abusing the right to protest,” as reported by BBC.

Imamoglu’s arrest comes at a critical time in Turkish politics. Although the next presidential election is scheduled for 2028, he was recently confirmed as the CHP’s candidate to challenge Erdogan’s to fight President’s election. His arrest has fuelled speculation that Erdogan sees him as a major political threat. Imamoglu first gained national attention in 2019 when he won Istanbul’s mayoral election, defeating Erdogan’s party. The government ordered a rerun of the election, but Imamoglu won again by an even larger margin. Last year, his party also gained control of most major cities in Turkey, further weakening Erdogan’s grip on power. His inclusive rhetoric has made him popular across different sections of Turkish society, including religious conservatives who traditionally support Erdogan.

His detention has sparked concern both inside and outside Turkey. International media reported that the European Commission has urged the Turkish government to respect democratic values, while Greece has expressed concern over threats to the rule of law. Critics argue that Erdogan’s government has been tightening its control by imprisoning political opponents, journalists, and other dissenting voices. Many see this as a turning point, as public frustration over political repression amid the struggling economy of the country.