Just days before his anticipated nomination as the main opposition candidate for Turkey’s 2028 presidential election, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has been arrested on charges of corruption and alleged ties to a terrorist organization. The move has sparked outrage among opposition parties, who call it a blatant attempt to crush political dissent.
The Turkish government claims İmamoğlu engaged in bribery and supported the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its allies. İmamoğlu, however, flatly denies the accusations. Taking to social media, he defiantly declared, “The will of the people cannot be silenced.”
He isn’t the only one caught in the crackdown. Authorities rounded up around 100 others, including journalists and business figures. In response, Istanbul has been placed on high alert—protests are banned for four days, major streets and metro lines have been closed, and access to social media platforms like X, YouTube, and Instagram has been restricted.
İmamoğlu’s party, the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), isn’t backing down. Party leader Özgür Özel condemned the arrest as “a coup attempt against the next President” and vowed to push forward with İmamoğlu’s nomination regardless. Meanwhile, political analysts see this as yet another sign that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is tightening his grip on power ahead of the next election.
Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey for 22 years, is technically barred from seeking another term under the constitution—unless he either changes the law or calls for an early election. Many now suspect İmamoğlu’s arrest is part of a broader strategy to clear the political field for Erdogan’s continued rule.
The international response has been muted but uneasy. Turkey remains a crucial NATO member, and European leaders rely on its military strength in the region, particularly in defending Ukraine. While Germany and France have expressed concern over the arrest, their options for pushing back against Ankara’s leadership are limited.
The markets, however, reacted swiftly. The Turkish lira plunged to record lows against the dollar, and Istanbul’s stock market took a sharp hit, dropping over 5%.
As tensions mount, one thing is clear: İmamoğlu’s arrest has sent shockwaves through Turkish politics, setting the stage for a turbulent road to the 2028 election.
