Istanbul mayor and Erdogan rival arrested in major crackdown
Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was arrested on March 19, 2025, as part of a significant government crackdown on opposition figures in Turkey. This arrest is linked to allegations of corruption and connections to terrorist activities, marking an escalation in the government’s efforts to suppress dissent following recent electoral setbacks for Erdogan’s ruling party.
Detention Orders: Prosecutors issued warrants for Imamoglu and approximately 100 others, including his close aide Murat Ongun and campaign manager Necati Özkan. The Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office labeled Imamoglu as a “criminal enterprise ringleader”.
Timing and Context: The arrest occurred just days before Imamoglu was expected to be nominated as the presidential candidate for the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) in upcoming elections. This follows a recent decision by Istanbul University to revoke his diploma, which could disqualify him from running in future elections.
Government Response: In anticipation of potential protests, authorities implemented road closures across Istanbul and imposed a four-day ban on demonstrations. Additionally, access to major social media platforms has been restricted, further heightening concerns about freedom of expression in Turkey.
Political Implications: Critics view this crackdown as politically motivated, aimed at undermining Imamoglu’s influence and the opposition’s momentum following significant electoral victories over Erdogan’s party in recent local elections. The CHP has condemned the arrest as an attempt to prevent the nation from determining its next president.
Imamoglu has publicly vowed to continue his political fight despite these challenges, asserting that he will not be silenced by what he describes as governmental tyranny.
