Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu in custody: Protests shake the city!

Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu in custody: Protests shake the city!

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has been suspended and is currently in custody. Turkey's interior authority announced on Sunday that the opposition politician's temporary removal from the Republican People's Party (CHP) was due to bribery allegations that a Turkish court has confirmed. İmamoğlu, who was arrested on Wednesday along with dozens of others, is the focus of a corruption investigation involving a total of 106 people.

His arrest sparked violent protests in the metropolis of Istanbul, with up to 300,000 people estimated to take to the streets despite existing bans on demonstrations. The protesters are demanding the immediate release of the mayor, who is also seen as a serious challenger to Turkish head of state Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. İmamoğlu had won re-election in Istanbul just a few months ago, in 2024, which was again seen as a setback for Erdoğan's ruling AKP.

Political consequences

Imamoğlu's suspension comes in a politically charged climate. Istanbul City Council, where the CHP has a majority, will have to elect an acting mayor in the coming days. It is unclear how the situation will affect İmamoğlu's long-term political ambitions, as he is considered a potential CHP presidential candidate.

The party has already announced that it will stick with his nomination despite the ongoing investigation. In an upcoming vote, 1.7 million members of the CHP will be called upon to decide on the nomination. Turkey's upcoming presidential election is scheduled for 2028, and İmamoğlu is seen as the sole candidate and is seen as a likely challenger to Erdoğan.

Criticism and reactions

The arrest of İmamoğlu was described as a “civilian coup” by CHP leader Özgür Özel, underlining the tense mood within the country. Behind the accusations against İmamoğlu are not only allegations of bribery, but also terror investigations, which are in the context of cooperation between the CHP and the pro-Kurdish Dem Party in the local elections.

Nevertheless, İmamoğlu denies all allegations and sees himself as a victim of political persecution. The coming days will be crucial, both for his political future and for the political climate in Turkey as a whole. The developments around İstanbul are being closely monitored as they could potentially have far-reaching consequences for the opposition and the government under Erdoğan.

Further information is on Austrian News and n-tv to find.