Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu Arrested in Corruption and Terror Probe

The detention of Erdogan's key political rival has triggered protests, financial turmoil, and global condemnation over threats to democracy in Turkey.

• Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul's mayor and a leading opposition figure, was arrested on March 19 as part of investigations into alleged corruption and ties to the outlawed PKK group.
• The arrest comes a day after Istanbul University invalidated Imamoglu's diploma, effectively disqualifying him from running for president under Turkish law.
• Protests erupted across Turkey, with opposition leaders denouncing the arrest as politically motivated and an attack on democratic rights.
• The Turkish lira and stock market suffered significant declines, reflecting investor concerns about political instability and the judiciary's independence.
• International organizations and foreign governments, including Germany and the EU, have condemned the arrest as a major setback for democracy in Turkey.

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