Turkish Authorities Arrest Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained on Wednesday as part of an anti-corruption operation that also targeted 100 politicians, businesspeople, and municipal officials. The arrest has been condemned by Turkish and international figures. 

The Istanbul public prosecutor’s office charged İmamoğlu with leading a criminal organization involved in extortion, fraud, and corruption. Additionally, prosecutors accused him and several local officials of aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union. Authorities claimed İmamoğlu’s collaboration with a left-wing political coalition during the 2023 local elections amounted to supporting the PKK.

As police surrounded his home, İmamoğlu shared a video on social media, saying “I stand resolute, entrusting myself not only to the 16 million residents of Istanbul but to the 86 million citizens of Türkiye, and all who uphold democracy and justice worldwide.” The caption of the video reads: “This is a blow to the will of the people.”

His detention comes as the Republican People’s Party (CHP) is expected to celebrate its primary election for the presidential candidate on March 23, where he is due to be selected as a presidential candidate. The CHP is the main opposition of AK Capital, the political party of which President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is also Chairman.

The move sparked outrage among opposition figures. Özgür Özel, Chairman, CHP, denounced the arrests as an attempted coup, accusing the government of obstructing the democratic process. “There is currently a force in place to prevent the nation from determining the next president. The real power is the nation, and in the end, the nation wins,” says Özel on his X account.

Diploma Revocation Raises Further Concerns

In a parallel development, Istanbul University annulled İmamoğlu’s diploma, citing irregularities in his transfer to the institution’s Management Faculty in 1990. The university announced that 38 students had transferred improperly, leading to the cancellation of 28 degrees, including that of İmamoğlu.

The mayor condemned the decision, labeling it a politically driven move to prevent his candidacy in the 2028 presidential elections. “Universities must remain independent, free from political interference, and dedicated to knowledge. This is not about me. This is about our future. We will not allow democracy to be undermined,” wrote İmamoğlu yesterday in his X account. 

Erdogan’s Political Landscape and 2028 Elections

The arrests and diploma revocation come amid growing speculation about Türkiye’s political future. President Erdoğan, in power since 2014, is serving what is officially recognized as his second term, which is set to be his last, as the Turkish constitution states that: “The President of the Republic’s term of office shall be five years. A person may be elected as the President of the Republic for two terms at most,” with elections scheduled for 2028. 

Global leaders, and Members of Parliament have denounced the actions against İmamoğlu, including members of the EU and Italian parliament, the Mayor of Florence, Mayor of Municipality of Milan, Mayor of Rome, Mayor of Strasbourg.