A Turkish court has ordered the detention of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, pending trial on corruption charges, according to state-run Anadolu news agency. This development sidelines a key contender in the upcoming presidential election and poses a challenge to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Imamoglu was arrested at his home four days prior to his expected nomination as the presidential candidate for Turkey's opposition. He has denied the allegations against him, which his supporters claim are an attempt to hinder a popular politician's candidacy.
The court's decision to jail Imamoglu stems from accusations of corruption, including leading a criminal organization and engaging in bribery and bid rigging at City Hall. Additionally, prosecutors have claimed that he supported terrorism through his coordination with a pro-Kurdish group during local elections last year, though the court has not yet ruled on these claims.
This ruling raises the possibility that Imamoglu may be removed from his position as mayor, a role he has held since 2019 after being elected three times.
Critics of Erdogan argue that the use of state power to eliminate political rivals represents a new level of authoritarianism, particularly with the arrest of a potential presidential candidate before the race commences. European leaders have voiced concerns over Imamoglu's arrest, which has triggered protests across Turkey, calling on the government to uphold the rule of law.
Senior U.S. officials have been relatively quiet on the matter. Steve Witkoff, President Trump's Middle East envoy, did not mention Imamoglu's detention in recent remarks but noted that Trump had spoken with Erdogan, describing the conversation as generating positive developments in Turkey.
Despite Imamoglu's detention, his party, the Republican People’s Party (C.H.P.), conducted a primary to formally designate him as their presidential candidate. Party members voted nationwide, inviting nonparty members to participate in a show of support for the jailed mayor.
Erdogan's current presidential term runs until 2028; however, he could legally pursue re-election if Parliament calls for early elections, which many expect may occur. If this happens, Imamoglu could potentially be barred from running against Erdogan.
The implications of Imamoglu's jailing extend to the administration of Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, which employs over 100,000 people and manages various public services.
In response to Imamoglu's detention, widespread protests have erupted across Turkey, despite the government's attempts to suppress them. Public demonstrations have been banned in major cities, social media access has been restricted, and transit hubs have been closed to hinder protest gatherings.
On Saturday, the Interior Ministry reported the detention of 343 individuals during protests, while Istanbul’s governor's office warned that people “likely to participate in unlawful protests” would be barred from entering the city.