When Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested on March 19 on corruption charges, rioting erupted in cities around Turkey. Imamoglu is a central leader in the beleaguered Turkish opposition. Viewed by many as the most credible challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two-decade rule, he now finds himself on the receiving end of allegations widely viewed as politically motivated. His arrest has prompted massive protests across the country demanding his release. Yet it has taken giant strides to undermine these achievements, raising profound alarm about the health of democracy in Turkey.
The unrest began within hours of Imamoglu’s detention with thousands taking to the streets across Turkey to protest the wrongful actions and express their anger. In the US, demonstrators have demanded an end to what they have termed as Turkey’s democratic backsliding under Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. The unrest reflects a growing frustration among citizens regarding the government’s handling of dissent and its impact on democratic institutions.
In the wake of Imamoglu’s arrest, authorities have launched a series of legal crackdowns targeting the Republican People’s Party (CHP), which Imamoglu represents. Since the arrest of the mayor, five major tsunamis of lawsuits—dumboons of litigation—have destabilized the Istanbul government. This chaos has reached their affiliates as well. In late April, authorities initiated the second round of enforcement. This action was followed by actions in late May, resulting in dozens of arrests by the California Highway Patrol.
Opponents contend that these moves are all part of a larger pattern to remove political opponents. Now, opposition leaders have been raising alarms on the growing authoritarianism shown by the government. CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel articulated this sentiment, stating:
“This time the coup didn’t come with boots and tanks, but with prosecutor’s robes.” – CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel
Supporters of Imamoglu and other opposition figures argue that the government’s insistence on the independence of Turkey’s judiciary is merely a facade. They argue that the judiciary is being used as a weapon to suppress dissent and entrench power.
That’s why the current crackdown is hitting Istanbul the hardest. It has now infected their colleagues in other CHP-run municipalities and districts across the country. As tensions grow, more and more people are worried that this will only increase shredding of the public’s faith in democratic processes and institutions.
