Istanbul in Turmoil: Mayor Imamoglu Arrested Days Before Presidential Selection in Shocking Political Showdown

In a dramatic twist that has sent shockwaves through Turkey, Istanbul’s beloved mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, has been detained in a sweeping corruption probe—just days before he was set to become the official presidential candidate for the opposition. The arrest, which saw dozens of police storm his home in the early hours, is being called a brazen power move by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government, fueling fears that Turkey’s democracy is at a breaking point.

Prosecutors have labeled Imamoglu a “criminal organization leader suspect,” sweeping up over 100 other figures, including journalists, politicians, and businessmen, in a crackdown that opposition leaders are calling a “coup attempt” against the will of the people. Yet, Imamoglu remains defiant, vowing to fight for democracy and justice, telling the world: “The will of the people cannot be silenced.”

The timing of this stunning development couldn’t be more suspect. Not only does it come days before the Republican People’s Party (CHP) was set to officially select Imamoglu as their presidential nominee, but just a day earlier, Istanbul University conveniently annulled his degree—potentially disqualifying him from running for office under Turkish law. The move has been widely condemned as a blatant act of political sabotage, with Imamoglu slamming it as “legally baseless” and an attack on the independence of academic institutions.

Adding fuel to the fire, government-aligned media outlets are now linking Imamoglu to the outlawed PKK, branding him a national security threat—a common tactic used to silence opposition voices. This comes on top of previous legal battles, including his controversial 2022 conviction for “insulting public officials,” which many saw as a politically motivated attack on one of Erdogan’s biggest rivals.

With a four-day ban on protests, demonstrations, and press conferences now in effect across Istanbul, a city once seen as a beacon of resistance to Erdogan’s rule is now under what critics are calling “political lockdown.” Major streets have been barricaded, metro lines suspended, and an air of fear hangs over the nation’s largest city.

Is this the final nail in the coffin for Turkey’s opposition, or the beginning of a new wave of resistance? As the country braces for what’s next, one thing is clear—this is not just about Imamoglu. It’s about the future of Turkish democracy itself.