Turkey in turmoil: Istanbul Mayor’s corruption case sparks widespread protests

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested after a raid on his home sparked the biggest surge of street protests in Turkey in over a decade. Protesters carry placard flags as they march to a rally in favor of Istanbul's detained mayor, in central London on March 22, 2025

Edited By: Aprajita Kumari

Last Updated : 23 March 2025, 07:23 PM IST

Istanbul mayor's arrest (x/@stairwayto3dom)

A court officially arrested the mayor of Istanbul and main opposition leader to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday and commanded him to be jailed before a trial on charges of corruption. Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested after police raided his home earlier this week, prompting the biggest wave of street protests in Turkey in over a decade.

Arrest is Reshaping Turkish Politics

It further raised fears about democracy and the rule of law in Turkey.His detention is generally seen as a political gesture to eliminate a leading contender in the upcoming presidential election, which is set for 2028. Officials deny charges that legal proceedings against opposition leaders are politically motivated and maintain that Turkey's judges are independent.

The Protests Force the Government to Reconsider

The official arrest coincided with his opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, launching a primary presidential election to endorse Imamoglu as its presidential candidate even as he was arrested. The party also established symbolic election boxes across the country named "solidarity boxes" to enable those who are not members of the party to be able to signify their support to the mayor. The arrest of the mayor indicates a heightening of a crackdown by the government on opposition and dissenting elements.