Targeting Imamoğlu: Erdoğan’s Latest Blow to the Opposition
ON WEDNESDAY, last week, the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor in Türkiye’s largest city could be described as a watershed moment in the country’s continued shift away from democracy. Opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan fear it is a move to sideline the only challenger capable of defeating him in the upcoming elections, expected before 2028.
CNN reported that Turkish authorities detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu – a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan – on Wednesday (19 March) as part of corruption and terrorism investigations.
Detention orders were also issued for around 100 others connected to Imamoğlu, including his press adviser Murat Ongun, according to state-run news agency Anadolu Agency. Among those detained are elected Istanbul district mayors Resul Emrah Sahan and Murat Calik.
The move came just days before the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) was scheduled to hold a primary election where Imamoğlu was expected to be chosen as its presidential candidate. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel called the detention “a coup attempt against our next president.”
On Saturday, protests in support of Imamoğlu erupted in Istanbul – where flares and stones were thrown at police, who responded with pepper spray – while in Ankara, the capital, police used water cannon and tear gas on demonstrators.
The interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, said 323 people had been detained following protests on Saturday night. Earlier, he said: “There will be no tolerance for those who seek to violate societal order, threaten the people’s peace and security, and pursue chaos and provocation.”
During the week, Imamoğlu and more than 100 other people including municipal officials and the head of the mayor’s construction firm were served detention orders and accused of embezzlement and corruption – charges the mayor denies. He also denies terrorism charges levelled at him over collaboration with a left-wing political coalition prior to local elections last year, which saw major losses for Erdoğan’s Justice and Development party (AKP).
On the global stage, the return of US President Donald Trump has emboldened autocratic leaders. His history of ignoring democratic backsliding suggests that Washington will not challenge Türkiye’s actions, prioritising geopolitical concerns over human rights.
The Guardian reported Gönül Tol, an analyst with the Washington-based Middle East Institute, as saying that the president of the United States is undermining democracy there, meaning the US is looking inward. Basically, Trump just does not care what other autocrats are doing to their people. Further, with a potential conflict involving Iran looming, Washington is unlikely to risk alienating Ankara over the arrest of an opposition leader.
Additionally, recent developments in Syria have seen Türkiye’s strategic importance increase dramatically. Following the Assad regime’s collapse and Iran’s expulsion from key areas, Türkiye has gained significant ground, and the US needs its cooperation in stabilising the region – particularly in countering Iran’s influence in the broader Middle East security framework.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who were previously quick to criticise Erdoğan, have yet to voice objections to recent events in Türkiye. This hesitation is likely due to expectations that Ankara could supply peacekeepers in Ukraine.
“With Trump’s return to the White House and his shift towards Russia on Ukraine, the Europeans are panicking and trying to boost defence,” said Tol. “In this climate where Europe feels it has to defend itself against Russia alone, there’s more talk about engaging Erdoğan.”
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen became the highest-ranking official to offer any criticism, stating Türkiye “must protect democratic values, especially the rights of elected officials.”
Ekrem Imamoğlu
At the ground level, within days, what began as protests in response to Imamoğlu’s detention has grown into something more. Even for the AKP – led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for over two decades now – jailing or disqualifying an official presidential candidate backed by such an overwhelming mandate might not be manageable.
It is a tactic more commonly seen in brazenly and openly autocratic countries, not in a country that still claims to be a democracy.
CHP’s early declaration of Imamoğlu as its candidate alarmed the ruling party. Expecting this political momentum to only grow in the years leading up to the 2028 elections, the AKP moved swiftly and aggressively. But their decision to act now – before Imamoğlu could consolidate his support – reveals just how much they fear him.
In fact, their urgency betrays their own weakness: The AKP is not as strong as it appears. If it were confident in its electoral dominance, it would have no need to crush Imamoğlu this early on.
But Erdoğan is a shrewd politician. He knows well that while public anger and the rallying around Imamoğlu may create some trouble for the AKP in the short run, with three more years to go, they hope it will fade in time.
Additionally, this pre-emptive suppression is designed to discourage strong opposition figures from mounting meaningful presidential bids against Erdoğan. If Imamoğlu is successfully sidelined, other potential opposition candidates would be intimidated – or so the AKP’s wishful thinking goes – as any candidate who poses a serious threat to the AKP would face similar consequences.
Imamoğlu’s arrest is just the latest in a long string of politically motivated legal attacks against him. Since taking office in 2019, he has faced over 90 investigations, ranging from accusations of corruption and bribery to absurd charges of overloading public buses during Covid-19. The revocation of his university diploma just one day before his arrest was simply the last nail in the coffin of his presidential bid – a blatant attempt to disqualify him from running.
In the present scenario, Türkiye’s opposition must remain united, as mass protests, legal challenges and grassroots efforts will be key in countering such authoritarian actions.
Imamoğlu’s arrest is not just about one man. It is about whether Türkiye will remain a democracy or be transformed into an autocracy. Common Turks’ response will define the country’s future for generations to come. 
Also Read:
Resetting US-Russia Ties: Treachery, Theft, and the Quest for Power
Asad Mirza
The author is a New Delhi-based senior commentator on national and international affairs, defence and strategic issues, and environmental concerns. He is also an interfaith practitioner and a media consultant. Previously, he was associated with the BBC Urdu Service and the Khaleej Times in Dubai.
Disclaimer : PunjabTodayNews.com and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors’ right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabTodayNews.com or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here.
Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged.
— Team PT