Istanbul: A Turkish court on Sunday ordered the imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent political rival of President Tayyip Erdogan, ahead of his trial on corruption charges. The decision has ignited the largest protests in Turkey in over a decade, with critics condemning the move as politically motivated and undemocratic.
The ruling comes amid mounting tensions between Erdogan’s government and the opposition, as European leaders, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), and hundreds of thousands of protesters decried Imamoglu’s detention. His incarceration has further galvanized the opposition, with signs of growing public discontent against Erdogan’s administration, which has ruled Turkey for 22 years.
As news of his imprisonment spread, nearly 15 million CHP members and non-members participated in polling stations nationwide to either elect or endorse Imamoglu as a future presidential candidate, according to the party. The significant number of non-member votes—over 13 million—suggests that Imamoglu, 54, enjoys substantial support beyond the party’s traditional base. CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel argued that this turnout underscores the need for early elections.
A Turkish court jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Erdogan's main rival, pending trial on corruption charges triggering the country's biggest protests in over a decade https://t.co/7P7PwrjZsi pic.twitter.com/e05k1sERXI
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 24, 2025
Imamoglu has vehemently denied the charges, calling them “unimaginable accusations and slanders.” He has urged nationwide protests, declaring, “We will rip away this coup, this dark stain on our democracy, all together.”
Following the court’s ruling, footage showed Imamoglu being transported to Silivri prison in a police convoy. The Turkish Interior Ministry also announced his removal from office, along with two district mayors. The government maintains that judicial processes are independent and denies any political motives behind the case.
Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan have attempted to calm financial markets, which have reacted sharply to Imamoglu’s detention. Turkish assets have seen a significant selloff, with analysts predicting further volatility following his imprisonment.
Opposition Crackdown Intensifies
The court stated that Imamoglu and at least 20 others were jailed as part of a corruption probe, one of two investigations launched against the two-term mayor last week. The charges include “establishing and leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, embezzlement, unlawfully recording personal data, and rigging public tenders in connection with a financial investigation.”
This development follows a broader crackdown on opposition figures, which has led to the removal and imprisonment of several elected officials. Critics argue that these legal actions are aimed at weakening opposition prospects in upcoming elections. In Istanbul alone, six of CHP’s 27 municipal mayors have been arrested, a year after the opposition handed Erdogan’s AK Party its worst electoral defeat.
To demonstrate support for Imamoglu, the CHP opened polling stations on Sunday, allowing non-members to cast “solidarity votes”. The party’s chairman, Ozgur Ozel, emphasized the significance of the turnout, calling it a direct challenge to Erdogan’s government.
“It calls Erdogan’s legitimacy into question and makes an early election inevitable,” Ozel told supporters in Istanbul. “If they believe they can compete with us, with Ekrem Imamoglu, then let them call for an early election.”
No general election is scheduled until 2028. However, if Erdogan, 71, seeks another term, parliament would need to approve an early election, as he will have reached his constitutional term limit by then. Recent opinion polls indicate Imamoglu is leading Erdogan in a potential contest.
Market Fallout and Political Uncertainty
While Imamoglu also faces terrorism-related charges, the court has yet to formally arrest him on those counts. If convicted, he could be barred from running for president, and the government could appoint a trustee to manage Istanbul in his absence.
The CHP has vowed to appeal the court’s decision and elect an interim mayor. Shortly after the ruling, Imamoglu reaffirmed his commitment to challenging Erdogan’s rule, stating that those responsible for his imprisonment would be held accountable.
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“Imamoglu has become Erdogan’s … nightmare,” said Mehmet Karatas, an opposition supporter outside the courthouse. “We will make Ekrem Imamoglu president.”
Since Imamoglu’s detention, Turkey’s financial markets have been in turmoil. The Turkish lira, stocks, and bonds have suffered heavy losses, prompting the central bank to intervene. Authorities have also imposed a ban on short selling on the Istanbul Stock Exchange in an effort to stabilize the markets.
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Governor Karahan met with board members of Turkey’s Banks Association (TBB) on Sunday, assuring them that the central bank would use all available instruments within market rules to maintain stability.
Civil disobedience in Turkey has been significantly restricted since the 2013 Gezi Park protests, which led to a harsh government crackdown. On Saturday, more than 300 protesters were detained, as authorities extended a nationwide ban on street gatherings for four more days. Despite these restrictions, demonstrations continued across major cities, marking the fifth consecutive night of anti-government protests.
