Turkish Authorities Arrest Istanbul Mayor in Widening Opposition Crackdown

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has been arrested by law enforcement officials, just days before a crucial presidential candidate election. The move is widely seen as part of a broader government crackdown on opposition figures ahead of the upcoming national polls.

The Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office has accused İmamoğlu of leading a “criminal enterprise,” resulting in his detention along with 100 other individuals, including his close adviser Murat Ongun and election campaign manager Necati Özkan. His arrest comes just 24 hours after Istanbul University annulled his degree, a decision that, if upheld, would disqualify him from running in the presidential race.

Despite these developments, İmamoğlu remained defiant, releasing a video message in which he assured his supporters: “I stand with my people, and I will remain steadfast.”

Authorities have also launched investigations into Medya A.Ş., a media company affiliated with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, and several officials connected to the “city consensus”—a coalition between İmamoğlu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Peoples’ Freedom and Democracy Party (DEM Party), aimed at challenging the ruling party in local elections.

The arrests have sparked widespread concerns about the state of democracy in Turkey, with opposition leaders and international watchdogs condemning what they describe as politically motivated actions to weaken electoral competition. As tensions rise, all eyes are on Turkey’s judiciary and political landscape, with analysts warning of further crackdowns in the lead-up to the elections.