Turkish Authorities Detain Dozens Following Istanbul Mayor’s Arrest
Turkish authorities have taken into custody numerous individuals for allegedly making “provocative” social media posts in the wake of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s detention on Wednesday.
Imamoglu was among 106 individuals apprehended on accusations encompassing corruption and aiding terrorist organizations, a development that has ignited demonstrations in Istanbul and Ankara, the nation’s capital.
A prominent figure within the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), Imamoglu is a significant challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was anticipated to be nominated as a presidential candidate for the 2028 elections later this week.
Critics are denouncing his detention as a “coup,” with plans for further demonstrations despite the pro-Erdogan governor of Istanbul imposing a four-day ban on public assemblies.
Social Media Crackdown
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Thursday morning that law enforcement had identified 261 “suspect account managers” online. These individuals are accused of publishing content deemed to be “inciting public animosity and antagonism” and “encouraging criminal behavior.”
“Thirty-seven suspects have been apprehended, and efforts to detain the remaining suspects are ongoing,” he stated, adding that over 18.6 million posts concerning Wednesday’s arrests surfaced online by 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT) on Thursday.
A message disseminated on Imamoglu’s X account on Thursday urged Turkey to “unite against this malice as a nation,” imploring members of the judiciary and Erdogan’s party to combat injustice.
“These occurrences transcend our parties and political ideologies. This matter now concerns our citizens, specifically your families,” Imamoglu asserted. “It is imperative to raise our voices.”
Istanbul Continues Under Opposition Control
Despite the Istanbul mayor’s overnight confinement, the municipality remains under the control of his opposition party.
As commuters boarded trains at metro stations throughout the city, recordings of Imamoglu’s public addresses resonated from loudspeakers, proclaiming: “I pledge to you with my honor that I am going to triumph in this struggle.”
University students engaged in street marches, chanting: “We are not intimidated, we will not be silenced, we will not submit” – a prevalent opposition slogan in Turkey.
However, protest numbers remain relatively modest within a metropolis of over 16 million residents. Presently, they are unlikely to exert sufficient political pressure on Erdogan to secure Imamoglu’s release.
Calls for Continued Protests
The office of the detained mayor has appealed for demonstrators to convene for a second consecutive night outside the municipal building.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel addressed supporters at a rally on Wednesday evening, urging them to “fill the streets.”
Wider Political Context
The detentions of Imamoglu and others are part of a broader nationwide crackdown in recent months, targeting opposition politicians, journalists, and entertainment industry figures.
Concerns are mounting that further individuals may be summoned for questioning in the coming weeks as part of a campaign of intimidation.
Opposition figures maintain that the arrests are politically motivated. However, the justice ministry on Wednesday criticized those associating Erdogan with the arrests, emphasizing judicial independence.
Imamoglu secured a second term as Istanbul’s mayor last year, when his CHP party achieved sweeping victories in local elections in both Istanbul and Ankara.
This marked the first instance since Erdogan’s ascent to power that his party faced nationwide electoral setbacks.
The elections also constituted a personal setback for the president, who was raised in and previously served as mayor of Istanbul during his rise to prominence.
Erdogan has held public office for the past 22 years, serving as both prime minister and president of Turkey. Due to term limitations, he is ineligible to seek re-election in 2028 unless constitutional amendments are enacted.
CHP Presidential Candidacy Vote
The CHP’s presidential candidate selection process, involving 1.5 million member votes and featuring Imamoglu as the sole candidate, is scheduled for Sunday.
The party has also called upon citizens to participate in a symbolic election, with plans to deploy ballot boxes in districts across Turkey, enabling individuals to demonstrate their solidarity with the detained mayor.