Istanbul's mayor Imamoğlu: arrest before the presidential election!

Istanbul's mayor Imamoğlu: arrest before the presidential election!

in a dramatic turn a few days before his planned nomination as a presidential candidate for the largest opposition party in Turkey, the Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoğlu was arrested. According to a report by Kleine Zeitung he was accused of membership in a criminal organization and corruption, which should further exacerbate the tensions in the already turbulent political climate of Türkiye. This step comes just in time because the CHP is planning to officially choose it on Sunday as a candidate for the presidential election in 2028.

Imamoğlu himself commented on social media and emphasized that hundreds of police officers had gathered on his doorstep. In a video he explained: "We are in the face of great tyranny" and announced not to give up. His arrest is part of a number of measures that were caused against opposition voices, which further reinforces the concerns about democracy and the rule of law in Turkey.

political repression and cultural response

While the political situation in Turkey remains tense, the anticipation begins to the Nachtkritik-Theatertreffen 2025 . The audience is invited to coordinate the best productions of the 2024 theater season. By January 15, 2025, the spectators can vote for a total of 42 nominated pieces, and ten favorites are chosen. This artistic platform shows that despite the political repression in the country, the creative voice of society remains alive. The shock of Imamoğlus's arrest could even serve as an additional impetus for social and cultural discussions while the world is watching.