Turkey Between the Bottleneck and the Abyss: Where Is the Political Scene Heading After İmamoğlu’s Arrest?

Protests Erupt Across Major Turkish Cities Following Arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu

Several Turkish cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, witnessed widespread protests on Tuesday evening following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent figure in the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), over a 2019 “defamation” case. The arrest comes amid escalating political tensions ahead of the local elections, where İmamoğlu is seen as a key challenger to the ruling party.  

According to details, Turkish police detained İmamoğlu earlier in the day after summoning him for testimony in a case stemming from his 2019 remarks, in which he labeled authorities who annulled Istanbul’s municipal election results (later reinstated) as “ignorant.” He was previously convicted and sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for the same charges, though the ruling was overturned by an appeals court. The recent revival of the case by prosecutors has sparked public and political outrage.  

Squares in Istanbul and Ankara became focal points for protests, with thousands rallying under banners demanding “Justice for Ekrem” and “End Political Repression.” Security forces tightened measures, deploying tear gas in areas of limited clashes. The CHP condemned the arrest as “systematic political targeting,” while the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) described it as a “routine judicial process,” asserting the judiciary’s independence.  

İmamoğlu, who rose to prominence after his historic 2019 victory in Istanbul—long a stronghold of the ruling party—is viewed by analysts as a potential future rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Opposition groups accuse authorities of weaponizing the judiciary to sideline rivals, while the government insists it adheres strictly to legal procedures.  

Internationally, rights organizations like Human Rights Watch expressed concern over “shrinking political freedoms” in Turkey, urging İmamoğlu’s immediate release. Western governments, however, have yet to issue notable official reactions.  

Protests continue intermittently, with local civil society groups calling for solidarity. Attention now turns to an upcoming appeals hearing, which is expected to keep the case at the forefront of Turkey’s political landscape, particularly as local elections approach.