Turkey’s Istanbul Mayor Urges Judiciary to Resist Government’s Misuse of Courts
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has urged the judiciary to "stand up and take action against those who are ruining the judiciary" as protesters rallied for a second day over his shock arrest in a graft and terror probe.
Imamoglu, who is President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival, was held before dawn on Wednesday, just days before he was to be named as the main opposition CHP’s candidate for the 2028 race. The move brought thousands onto the streets, despite a four-day ban on protests, and by Thursday afternoon, the demonstrators were back holding placards saying "Together against lawlessness".
‘Completely Unlawful’
More than 1,000 students from Galatasaray University joined a protest march through the waterfront Besiktas district, with scuffles as police tried to break it up. Students were also marching from Istanbul University, which had on Tuesday revoked Imamoglu’s degree – a significant move as presidential candidates must have a third-level qualification.
"The reason Erdogan did this is his fear of Imamoglu. It’s completely unlawful," one 19-year-old student told AFP, declining to give his name.
Erdogan’s Ambitions
The move against Imamoglu sent Turkey’s financial markets into a tailspin, dealing a heavy blow to the Turkish lira that was trading at around 38 lira to the dollar on Thursday. Turkey’s Central Bank said it would draw on its foreign exchange reserves if needed to prevent further harm to the currency, with economists saying it had already done so on Wednesday.
Round-ups
More than 80 people were rounded up in Wednesday’s raids and investigators began quizzing them early on Thursday, local media said. Already named in a growing list of legal probes, Imamoglu has been accused of "aiding and abetting a terrorist organisation" – namely the banned Kurdish militant group PKK.
He is also under investigation for "bribery, extortion, corruption, aggravated fraud, and illegally obtaining personal data for profit as part of a criminal organisation" along with 99 other suspects.
Social Media Restrictions
Social media and internet access, which was blocked early on Wednesday, remained largely restricted in Istanbul on Thursday morning, according to online censorship monitor Free Web Turkey. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 37 people had been detained for posting content online that was deemed "provocative" and more investigations were under way.
Conclusion
The move against Imamoglu has sent shockwaves through Turkey, with many seeing it as a political "coup" aimed at silencing a vocal critic of the government. The situation remains fluid, with protests and demonstrations continuing across the country. The international community has condemned the move, with Human Rights Watch calling for Imamoglu to be "released from police custody immediately".
FAQs
Q: Why was Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu arrested?
A: He was arrested on suspicion of graft and terror-related offenses.
Q: What is the reaction to his arrest?
A: Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets, and there have been scuffles with police.
Q: What is the impact on the Turkish economy?
A: The move has sent Turkey’s financial markets into a tailspin, dealing a heavy blow to the Turkish lira.
Q: What is the significance of the move for President Erdogan’s plans?
A: The move could harm Erdogan’s plans to change the constitution to allow him to run for a third term.