Mass Protests Erupt in Turkey Following Arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu

Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in Turkey to protest the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. Protests erupted in both Istanbul and the capital, Ankara, where crowds called for the resignation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of attempting to eliminate his main political rival through this arrest.

Imamoglu's party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), which is the leading opposition force in Turkey, described the situation as a coup attempt. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed deep concern regarding the arrest of the popular opposition figure. Demonstrations also took place in Berlin, home to a significant Turkish diaspora. Despite a public appearance later in the evening, Erdogan has yet to comment on the ongoing situation.

In Istanbul, the provincial governor has imposed a four-day ban on demonstrations, while several social networks and messaging services have experienced restrictions. Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunç cautioned against protests, deeming it presumptuous to link the judicial investigations to Erdogan.

Late on Wednesday, Istanbul's Chief Public Prosecutor announced that Imamoglu's construction companies had been seized. The court stated that control of Imamoglu Construction was transferred to criminal court based on financial crime investigation reports.

Imamoglu has emerged as a prominent contender against Erdogan, particularly in the lead-up to the presidential elections scheduled for 2028. His candidacy was set to be confirmed by the CHP on Sunday, and recent polls suggested he had a strong chance of winning.

Imamoglu was apprehended during a large-scale police operation on Wednesday morning. Authorities, perceived by critics as being manipulated for political ends by Erdogan, have accused him of corruption and supporting terrorism. Alongside Imamoglu, at least 87 others were reportedly detained, with over 100 individuals currently under investigation.

Following his arrest, Imamoglu was taken to a police station in Istanbul, where he is expected to provide a statement. According to the Turkish Bar Association, the process of recording statements could extend until Sunday. Anadolu Agency reported that the terrorism-related investigations stem from a collaboration between the CHP and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) during local elections, aiming to secure majorities in various municipalities.

Erdogan, who has led Turkey for over two decades as either prime minister or president, was previously the mayor of Istanbul. Under the current constitution, he is barred from running for president again in 2028 unless the parliament agrees to early elections, which would require support from opposition parties.

This is not the first time political figures and Erdogan's opponents in Turkey have faced terrorism charges. Many mayors from the pro-Kurdish HDP have been recently removed from office under similar investigations and replaced by government-appointed trustees. It remains uncertain whether Imamoglu will face a similar fate.

In recent months, there has been a surge in legal actions against opposition members and civil society actors in Turkey, raising concerns about the politicization of the judiciary. On the same day, investigative journalist Ismail Saymaz was also arrested in connection with the 2013 Gezi protests.