Istanbul Mayor Arrested Days Before Presidential Nomination
World
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been arrested by Turkish police as part of an investigation into corruption and alleged ties to terrorism. The state-run Anadolu Agency reported the arrest.
Prosecutors have also issued arrest warrants for 100 other individuals. Authorities have closed several streets in Istanbul and banned demonstrations for four days across the city, in what is seen as a preventive measure against potential protests following the arrest.
Imamoğlu was expected to be selected as the main presidential candidate of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in its internal elections scheduled for March 23. While the presidential elections in Turkey are officially set for 2028, early elections remain a strong possibility.
His arrest came just one day after his university diploma was revoked. Istanbul University annulled his degree, citing alleged irregularities in his 1990 transfer from a private university in Northern Cyprus to the Faculty of Business Administration. This effectively disqualified Imamoğlu from running in the presidential elections, as Turkish law requires candidates to hold a university degree.
Imamoğlu called the decision "illegal" and claimed it was made under pressure from Erdoğan’s government. Expressing his discontent on social media, he wrote, "Those who made this decision will soon be held accountable before history and justice. The march of our people, who are thirsty for justice, law, and democracy, cannot be stopped."
He has faced multiple legal cases, including a 2022 conviction for allegedly insulting Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council, which could result in a political ban.
Additionally, he has been accused of influencing investigations into opposition-led municipal administrations. These charges could lead to imprisonment or a political ban, further restricting his ability to challenge Erdoğan’s rule.
Imamoğlu was expected to be selected as the main presidential candidate of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in its internal elections scheduled for March 23. While the presidential elections in Turkey are officially set for 2028, early elections remain a strong possibility.
His arrest came just one day after his university diploma was revoked. Istanbul University annulled his degree, citing alleged irregularities in his 1990 transfer from a private university in Northern Cyprus to the Faculty of Business Administration. This effectively disqualified Imamoğlu from running in the presidential elections, as Turkish law requires candidates to hold a university degree.
Imamoğlu called the decision "illegal" and claimed it was made under pressure from Erdoğan’s government. Expressing his discontent on social media, he wrote, "Those who made this decision will soon be held accountable before history and justice. The march of our people, who are thirsty for justice, law, and democracy, cannot be stopped."
He has faced multiple legal cases, including a 2022 conviction for allegedly insulting Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council, which could result in a political ban.
Additionally, he has been accused of influencing investigations into opposition-led municipal administrations. These charges could lead to imprisonment or a political ban, further restricting his ability to challenge Erdoğan’s rule.
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