Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, was arrested on Wednesday morning as Turkish police executed detention warrants for him and approximately 100 others. These arrests are part of ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and terror links. This development comes as a significant twist in the political landscape, with Imamoglu having retained his mayoral seat following local elections last year.
Imamoglu, elected as mayor in March 2019, delivered a historic blow to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling AK Party, which had controlled Istanbul for 25 years. The arrest has sparked protests, with about 100 supporters gathering at the police station where Imamoglu was detained, chanting slogans against the government.
In a video message posted online, Imamoglu expressed his resolve in the face of adversity.
"We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged." – Ekrem Imamoglu
The opposition leader's arrest coincides with a controversial decision by an Istanbul university to invalidate his diploma. This move effectively disqualifies him from participating in the next presidential race, as a university degree is a legal requirement for election candidacy in Turkey. Imamoglu announced plans to challenge this decision, emphasizing its implications for his political career.
Imamoglu was widely expected to be chosen as the CHP's candidate in forthcoming elections. The CHP is scheduled to hold a primary on Sunday, where he was anticipated to emerge as the preferred candidate. The party's chairman, Ozgur Ozel, has publicly denounced Imamoglu's arrest.
"We are facing an attempted coup against our next president." – Ozgur Ozel
Ozel further criticized the current administration's efforts to undermine the electoral process.
"Currently, there is a power in place to prevent the nation from determining the next president," – Ozgur Ozel
