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Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu Jailed, Protests Erupt Across Turkey
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Erdogan’s main rival, jailed on corruption charges, sparking Turkey’s biggest protests in a decade. Opposition calls it a "coup attempt."
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-24
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu Jailed, Protests Erupt Across Turkey

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, widely regarded as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's strongest political rival, was jailed on Sunday pending trial on corruption charges. His arrest has triggered the largest wave of anti-government protests Turkey has seen in over a decade.

The decision to imprison İmamoğlu has been widely condemned by opposition leaders, European officials, and millions of citizens, who claim the charges are politically motivated. The Republican People's Party (CHP), Turkey’s main opposition party, held emergency primary elections, allowing non-members to vote in a show of solidarity. According to CHP figures, nearly 15 million people participated, with over 13 million non-members casting ballots, demonstrating İmamoğlu’s broad public support.

A Political Shakeup

İmamoğlu, 54, has vehemently denied the charges, calling them "unimaginable accusations and slanders." He urged nationwide protests, stating, “We will rip away this coup, this dark stain on our democracy, all together.”

Following the court ruling, footage showed İmamoğlu being transported to Silivri prison in a police convoy. Alongside him, two other district mayors from Istanbul were also removed from their positions. The Turkish government maintains that the judiciary operates independently and denies any political motivation behind the case.

Turkey’s vice president, Cevdet Yilmaz, and Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan have attempted to calm financial markets, which reacted sharply to İmamoğlu’s detention. The Turkish lira, stocks, and bonds saw significant losses, prompting interventions by the central bank to stabilize the currency.

Nationwide Protests Despite Crackdown

Despite a nationwide ban on public gatherings, mass protests have erupted in major cities, with demonstrators clashing with police. Authorities extended the ban for four more days, but this has not stopped people from taking to the streets. More than 1,100 protesters, including journalists, have been detained.

The CHP chairman, Özgür Özel, described the situation as a “coup attempt” and insisted that İmamoğlu’s arrest questions Erdoğan’s legitimacy. “If they believe they can compete with us, with Ekrem İmamoğlu, then let them call for an early election,” Özel declared.

Implications for Turkey’s Political Future

No general election is scheduled until 2028, but Erdoğan, now 71, would need parliament’s approval to run again due to constitutional term limits. With İmamoğlu currently leading Erdoğan in some opinion polls, opposition leaders are pushing for early elections.

Meanwhile, İmamoğlu faces additional terrorism-related charges, which, if pursued, could lead to a government-appointed trustee taking over Istanbul’s administration. The CHP has vowed to appeal the ruling and elect an interim mayor in İmamoğlu’s absence.

Since his arrest last Wednesday, market instability has intensified, forcing Turkey’s central bank to intervene. The ban on short selling on the Istanbul Stock Exchange further indicates the government's concern over economic fallout.

As Turkey faces its most significant political and financial crisis in years, the battle between Erdoğan’s government and the opposition continues to escalate. With protests growing and international pressure mounting, İmamoğlu’s imprisonment may mark a turning point in Turkey’s political landscape.
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