Opposition Leader and President Erdoğan's Main Rival, İmamoğlu, Arrested in Turkey Amid Nationwide Protests

Opposition Leader and President Erdoğan's Main Rival, İmamoğlu, Arrested in Turkey Amid Nationwide Protests

Ankara, March 20: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is facing criticism for cracking down on opposition political figures, especially following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on charges of corruption and alleged ties to terrorist organizations.

The Office of the Chief Prosecutor in Turkey has issued arrest warrants for İmamoğlu and 106 other political leaders. They face charges including bribery, embezzlement, tender fraud, deception, and the illegal collection of personal data.

İmamoğlu has been accused of collaborating with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union. Experts have raised doubts about the arrest, particularly since Erdoğan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) faced defeat in local elections last year.

Sinan Sidi, a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital, "İmamoğlu's arrest is no accident. He is a political rival to Erdoğan and, because of his potential candidacy, Erdoğan sees him as a political threat."

However, the Turkish government has denied claims that the arrest is politically motivated. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated, "Trying to link judicial investigations and cases with our President is unreasonable and irresponsible," adding, "Our country's three pillars of governance—the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary—operate based on a fundamental principle. The judiciary does not take orders from anyone."

Following the incident, İmamoğlu thanked world leaders and members of the European Parliament via social media and pledged to continue his fight for Turkey's democracy. He said, "I am determined to fight not only for the 16 million residents of Istanbul but also for Turkey's 86 million citizens and for democracy and justice around the world."

İmamoğlu was elected as the Mayor of Istanbul in 2019 from Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), and was re-elected in 2023. He defeated Erdoğan-backed AKP candidates in both elections. İmamoğlu is expected to run against Erdoğan in the 2028 presidential elections, if the election date is brought forward.

Turkish authorities have banned public demonstrations for four days to prevent protests against the arrest from spreading. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel has called for large protests in Istanbul, condemning the arrest as a violation of democratic norms.

Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute, Soner Cagaptay, remarked, "Erdoğan gained political success in 1999 while serving as Istanbul's mayor, when he was jailed for inciting religious hatred. But his popularity surged, and by 2003, he became Turkey's leader."