Turkish Opposition Leader Imamoglu's Arrest Triggers Mass Protests and Global Criticism
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu remains in custody as protests continue, with accusations of government suppression and warnings of democratic erosion in Turkey.
- Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul's mayor and a key rival to President Erdogan, was arrested on charges of corruption and alleged ties to terrorism on March 19, 2025.
- Thousands of protesters have gathered across Istanbul, defying a government-imposed ban on demonstrations and calling the arrest a 'coup d'état.'
- The Turkish government has restricted access to social media platforms, with additional arrests of journalists, activists, and online users reported.
- Istanbul University annulled Imamoglu's degree, potentially disqualifying him from the 2028 presidential election, raising concerns of election interference.
- European officials have condemned the arrest, warning of its impact on Turkish democracy, while Imamoglu has urged national unity against what he calls political misuse of the judiciary.
Courrier International 
