Turkey gripped by protests after opposition leader İmamoğlu’s arrest

The governor of Istanbul province issued an order banning street demonstrations for the next four days, and a heavy police presence was deployed across the city. However, these measures failed to prevent the outbreak of protests. Police cordoned off the municipality building, blocked sections of roads, and sealed off Taksim Square, a central public space. Demonstrators gathered near the city hall, the police station where İmamoğlu is being held, Istanbul University, and other locations.

“What has happened is an attempt at a coup. Ekrem İmamoğlu’s freedom to run [for president] is not being taken away — what’s being stripped is the nation’s freedom to choose him,” said Özgür Özel, leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), in a speech delivered to a crowd gathered in front of the municipality building.

Dilek İmamoğlu, the mayor’s wife, described his arrest as “a targeted political operation aimed at eliminating Turkey’s future president.” She added, “This is a direct blow to the nation, and we will fight back.”

Reports of initial clashes have emerged. Footage from the scene shows police using special equipment to disperse students protesting at Istanbul University against the decision to revoke İmamoğlu’s higher education diploma. The decision to invalidate his diploma, made shortly before his arrest, effectively bars him from formally running for president due to the lack of a recognized higher education credential.

The CHP had been expected to officially nominate İmamoğlu as the opposition candidate for the 2028 presidential elections at its convention scheduled for the coming Sunday (though early elections could potentially take place in November 2027).

İmamoğlu is currently a suspect in two investigations, facing allegations of corruption and ties to terrorist organizations. It has been reported that nearly 100 individuals, including politicians, journalists, and businesspeople, have been detained as part of these probes.

Following his arrest, a statement appeared on İmamoğlu’s social media accounts asserting that “the will of the people cannot be intimidated or suppressed through illegal actions.” The statement continued, “I stand resolute, entrusting myself not only to the 16 million residents of Istanbul but also to the 86 million citizens of Turkey, as well as all those around the world who support democracy and justice.”

Turkey’s Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç rejected claims that the mayor is being politically persecuted and criticized those linking President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to a campaign of repression and arrests against the opposition. He called such assumptions “extremely dangerous and baseless,” adding that “no one is above the law in Turkey.”

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) also dismissed accusations against Erdoğan, affirming the independence of Turkey’s judicial system.

Protests following İmamoğlu’s arrest have spread beyond Istanbul to the capital, Ankara, and other cities across Turkey. Nationwide demonstrations on a larger scale are anticipated this Sunday.