Turkiye has been plunged into a political crisis following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ikram İmamoğlu.
İmamoğlu, a key opposition figure against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was taken into custody on 19 March, 2025 on charges of corruption, bribery, and money laundering.
İmamoğlu was also accused of alleged ties with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, an Kurdish party designated as a terrorist organisation by the Turkish state.
The arrest of İmamoğlu continues to cause significant civil unrest and protests throughout the country, as it took place ahead of his nomination for the 2028 presidential elections.
İmamoğlu’s supporters have accused President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of using the judicial system to eliminate a challenger to his power.
Erdoğan’s Efforts to Tackle His Most Popular Rival
İmamoğlu is a charismatic leader whose rise to power rivals Erdoğan.
In Istanbul’s 2019 mayoral election, he beat Binali Yıldırım, Erdoğan’s preferred candidate. His victory was seen as a challenge to Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party.
Despite annulment of the initial results due to alleged irregularities, İmamoğlu ran again, and secured a victory for his party: the Republican People’s Party.
İmamoğlu was embroiled in a controversy when Istanbul revoked his diploma; a move that is viewed as ‘politically motivated’ and an attempt to jeopardise his plans to challenge Erdoğan in the 2028 presidential elections.
Protests, Crackdowns, and Censored Voices
Following the arrest of İmamoğlu, protests erupted across Turkiye, in major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir, with thousands marching in the streets over what is widely perceived as an abuse of the country’s judicial system.
Slogans at the protests included “Government, resign”, “Don't stay quiet, the longer you do, it will be your turn”, and “Right, law, justice!”.
Protestors have called for İmamoğlu’s immediate release, accusing Erdoğan of abusing his power to suppress a key opponent with falsified charges.
The Turkish government has been accused of an aggressive crackdown on peaceful protests after a blanket protest ban in three cities and the use of tear gas and water cannons by security forces.
The government’s response to the protests has escalated.
Behind Bars, Political Prisoners
A total of 1133 people have been detained since 19 March, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
Yerlikaya said on his social media account : “Some circles have been exploiting the right to assemble and demonstrate, attempting to disrupt public order, incite street unrest, and attack our police.”
As many as 123 police officers have been injured in the protests. Confiscated items include acid, firebombs, and knives.
According to the Disk-Basin-Is union, an labour organisation that represents journalists and the publishing and printing industries, and an advocate for press freedom, at least eight reporters and photojournalists were detained.
The union claimed that the move was an “attack on press freedoms and the people’s right to learn the truth”.
Amid turmoil, Elon Musk’s social media platform X has also suspended several student and university associated accounts.
Despite the Turkish government banning large gatherings for four days, opposition protests are spreading with many protestors facing account bans or suspensions.
İmamoğlu’s Arrest and the Fight for Tukish Democracy
The arrest of key opposition figure Ekrem İmamoğlu and the resulting fallout has deepened Turkiye’s political crisis, with opposition figures like Özgür Özel, leader of the Republican People’s Party are calling the incident, “a coup against our next president”.
Özel claimed that Erdoğan targeted İmamoğlu due to fears of losing to him in the ballots, and urged opposition parties to unite against Erdoğan ’s misuse of the judiciary system.
Despite Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest, the CHP has nominated him as their candidate for Turkiye’s 2028 presidential elections. İmamoğlu received overwhelming support from the party’s members.
Instability Extends to the Turkish Economy
The arrest of İmamoğlu has not only resulted in protests and civil unrest, but also economic downturn.
In the resulting crisis, the Turkish lira fell by more than 3 percent against the U.S. dollar, as a result of investor apprehension regarding Turkiye’s long term economic stability.
The Borsa Istanbul 100 stock index also plummeted over 9 percent after the arrest, reflecting the dire economic consequences of the crisis.
The arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu serves as a litmust test for Turkey’s democracy—one that will determine whether the nation’s Ottoman’s values of justice, freedom, and political plurality can withstand the temporary pressures of authoritarianism under Erdogan’s leadership.
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