Turkish authorities have dismissed what they call “prejudiced” international reactions to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, following nationwide protests that have led to the detention of nearly 1,900 demonstrators.
Imamoglu, a leading political rival of President Tayyip Erdogan and ahead in some polls, was taken into custody on Sunday on corruption charges. His arrest sparked the largest anti-government demonstrations in a decade, with mass detentions across the country.
The opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), along with other political groups, human rights organizations, and Western governments, have criticized the case as politically motivated, aimed at eliminating Imamoglu as a potential challenger to Erdogan. However, the Turkish government insists that the judiciary operates independently and denies any interference in the legal process.
During a press briefing with international media in Istanbul, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc urged European nations to adopt a “common sense” approach, arguing that the seriousness of the allegations justified Imamoglu’s arrest.
“We do not want to see politicians arrested, but if evidence of wrongdoing exists, legal action must be taken,” Tunc stated through a translator.
He further explained that due to the severity of the accusations and concerns over evidence tampering, the judiciary’s decision to detain Imamoglu was reasonable.
Ongoing Protests and Government Response
The CHP has urged citizens to continue protesting, planning rallies across Istanbul and other cities. Erdogan, however, dismissed the demonstrations as mere theatrics and warned that legal consequences await protesters.
According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, 1,879 people have been detained since protests erupted last Wednesday. Of these, 260 have been jailed pending trial, while 489 were released. Another 662 remain in custody, with 150 police officers reportedly injured during clashes.
Human rights organizations have condemned what they describe as excessive force by law enforcement and called on the government to respect citizens’ right to peaceful assembly. Western nations have also voiced concerns, describing the case as a step backward for democracy.
When questioned about the timing of Imamoglu’s arrest—just days before he was set to announce his candidacy for the 2028 presidential elections—Tunc maintained that legal proceedings are based solely on criminal reports, not political considerations.
“Being an elected official does not grant immunity from prosecution,” he asserted.
Tunc also claimed that Erdogan had no prior knowledge of the case due to its confidentiality, though the president has frequently accused opposition-run municipalities of corruption.
Media Suppression and Press Freedom Concerns
Shortly before Imamoglu’s arrest, a university annulled his academic degree—one of the prerequisites for presidential candidates. Meanwhile, the arrest and subsequent release of seven journalists covering the protests, including a photojournalist from Agence France-Presse (AFP), has raised further concerns about press freedom in Turkiye.
Tunc denied allegations of media suppression, arguing that perceptions of Turkiye’s treatment of journalists are inaccurate.
However, Reporters Without Borders ranks Turkiye 158th out of 180 countries in its 2024 Press Freedom Index, stating that around 90% of media outlets are under government influence. This has led many Turkish citizens to turn to independent or opposition-backed news sources.
Despite this, Tunc dismissed the ranking, claiming it does not reflect the reality on the ground.
International Reactions and Future Developments
As protests continue, the Turkish government remains firm in its stance, rejecting calls from Western leaders for democratic reforms. Meanwhile, opposition parties are mobilizing supporters to challenge Erdogan’s administration in upcoming elections.
With public discontent rising and international scrutiny intensifying, Imamoglu’s case is set to become a defining moment in Turkiye’s political landscape.