Breaking – Erdogan’s main rival Erkem Imamoglu and 100 others detained
Wednesday, 19 Mar 2025
Exclusive insights, data, and analysis for financial market experts.
Search
Have an existing account?
Sign In
**Details:**
Erdoğan’s main rival, Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, whose diploma was canceled yesterday, was detained on allegations of corruption in tenders. Along with him, 100 more individuals were included in the investigation and detained. It was announced that İmamoğlu was taken into custody as part of a terrorism and organized crime investigation. This suggests that an inquiry is underway that could lead to the appointment of a trustee to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The legal framework for appointing trustees in place of mayors under terrorism investigations was established a few years ago.
**Minutes before his detention, İmamoğlu posted the following statement on his social media account:**
>”I regret to say that a mindset seeking to usurp the will of our nation has gathered our beloved police officers in front of my home. Hundreds of police officers are being misused, and a great injustice is being carried out. I entrust myself to my nation. I will certainly continue the struggle. I will never stop fighting against the person behind this power.”
**Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş, the opposition’s second biggest candidate, also made a statement:**
>”Everyone who defends the rule of law, democracy, and the will of the people in this country should know that these actions against an elected mayor are absolutely unacceptable. The cancellation of a diploma yesterday, the deployment of police in front of our Mayor Ekrem’s house in the early hours of this morning, and now his detention… This is not befitting of a state governed by the rule of law. The reason for his detention remains unclear, but what justifies the urgency of arresting a mayor who has previously gone to court and provided statements voluntarily? If you are truly seeking justice, you must first adhere to the fundamental principles of law. Let it be known that no intervention against the people’s will shall go unanswered. These unlawful methods, pressures, and threats will inflict the greatest harm on our democracy. However, we will not remain silent! And let no one forget: Our Mayor Ekrem is not alone!”
**Updates:**
* **08:23 CET** – CHP Chairman Özgür Özel described the operation as a coup:
>”This operation was carried out just four days before the CHP primary election to determine our candidate. A four-day detention period, a four-day protest ban… No matter what happens, the ballot box for the CHP primary election will be set up on March 23. Even if you bury us under soil, that primary election will take place. Those who remain silent in the face of this coup today and those who carry it out will be removed through the ballot box tomorrow. The people will drown you in their contempt. Without any hesitation or compromise, we will never leave Mayor Ekrem alone. Today, we, who derive our strength from the people, stand firm. Their fear stems from the crimes they have committed over the years.”
* **08:12 CET** – Following the major crash in Borsa Istanbul (Stock Exchange), trading was suspended.
* **08:08 CET** – It was learned that there were difficulties in delivering İmamoğlu’s regular medication to him.
* **08:05** **CET** – İmamoğlu was taken to the police station without being taken for a health check, which is against human rights and domestic law. CHP administrators who contacted the governor’s office received the response: “This is the prosecutor’s instruction.”
* **07:49 CET** – The Istanbul Governor has banned all meetings and demonstrations throughout the city. Yesterday, it was revealed that police officers’ leave had been canceled.
* **07:40 CET** – Some legal experts from the opposition in Türkiye anticipate that the government may declare a State of Emergency.
* **07:33 CET** – CHP Chairman Özgür Özel: “The sole purpose of this oppression is to prevent Mayor Ekrem from holding rallies, meeting with the public, and blocking his candidacy.”
* **07:19 CET** – The opposition’s second biggest candidate, Mansur Yavaş, stated: “There is a very high possibility that I will be detained as well.”
Wow, the dictator is acting like a dictator. Who would have thought?
Wasn’t it last week that we were flooded by “Turkey is a key part of Europe” yadda yadda ?
Somebody forgot to tell Erdogan it seems.
Turkey is still enslaved by dictatorship
And there are people who are seriously advocating for this dictatorship to become an EU member!!!
Turk here.
Last time a conservative leader went full dictatorial, it was 1960.
He was hanged alongside two of his ministers.
Erdo knows this and is trembling in his palace with 1000 rooms of which massive energy bills are paid by ordinary people.
Political Islam had its best shot at Turkey in its attempts to bring strict religious rule.
It failed.
An entire generation of Turkish youths born and raised under their education system with full throttle brain washing attempts to alienate youths from Ataturk and his ideals is secularism, enlightenment, equality and fairness for all, failed.
The best of the best lieutenants of the prestigious military academy drew their swords and led a mass oath to guard the secular republic, Ataturk and the people against all threats.
This drove Erdo into fits of rage and petrified fear.
They threw everything they got at Turkey to destroy secularism.
It failed.
And they got absolutely smashed at last local elections, their coalition partner far right MHP got officially wiped out from same elections.
Ataturk’s own party CHP is on the rise and it’s an interesting mix of centrists and leftists recently bolstered by disillusioned AKP members joining them.
I’ll say this; as soon as Erdo and his gang falls, all exits from Turkey should be shut for them. They should all be arrested for treason and violating the constitution and no planes should be allowed to leave with any AKP member.
Judgment day is coming.
Oh yes.
For arresting and jailing and persecuting thousands of journalists, intellectuals, politicians, patriots be it leftists or right wing, innocent officers who committed suicide out of shame for getting kicked out from army.
Turkish public had to see with its own eyes why mixing religion and politics was a bad idea, it was part of painful growth of democracy but that’s enough, things have gone too far.
and they think defending Ukraine’s sovereignty will cover up their tracks
Welp. Do I just cross Turkish civil war off on my bingo card of the 2025 or not yet?
Hey Turkish people who REALLY posted a bunch last time Turkey was mentioned…
Yall got thoughts on this shit?
Oh great, now the Turks here in Europe will tell us again how this is just the right thing to do from their home in Berlin.
Mild shock
Time for Turkish people to shut down the streets, storm governor buildings and do everything needed to force Erdogan out.
Nothing to see here, move along, sir.
It’s important that non-Turkish Europe protests this injustice and makes sure that there are consequences for such blatant undermining of democracy. It will be inconvenient for Europe, especially in terms of Ukraine policy, but to be consistent and to show we are not motivated merely by self-interest, we must sanction Erdoğan and his closest allies.
And there are morons who want that shit show to join the EU.
What a coincidence, too bad….
This is coming to your country very soon (USA)he is tRumps mate !!!!
Disappointing, but unsurprising. I was really hoping that Türkiye would turn a leaf and backtrack their democratic backsliding seeing as how they seem to be interested in joining the EU, yet here we are.
Every dictator’s playbook is basically the same, stir up problems outside the country so people don’t notice the mess happening at home. That’s what he’s doing with all the chaos in Syria.
That should teach us a leason of never trusting erdogan
Impeccable timing , when europe can’t afford to lose his support
This is likely US path in a couple more years. I doubt Trump will ever leave presidency by his own will.
Despotism is so hot right now
This is exacly how pseudo democracy works. Pretend to be elected democratic, act like a dictator … get rid of all your opponents.
I want Turkey as an ally, but with things like this happening… If the Turkish people don’t rise up and overthrow their corrupt dictator, they will never be part of Europe.
Turkey is in no position to lecture other countries.
And what will the EU and NATO do and say? Nothing.
Civilisation is deteriorating around the world rapidly. No doubt emboldened by the orange felon.
Oh look another filthy old man that wants to stay in power forever.
as a Turkish citizen I’m really scared of my future and I want to immigrate to Europe to live a peaceful life
„I can do that, too!“ Trump and GOP, probably 🤪
Turkey is not an ally of Europe, the daily reminder ⬆️
Turkish people can’t be that stupid to not see what’s happening. I won’t believe it. How can Erdo just get ~~along~~ away with this? Is fckn obvious!
Great timing. Erdogan reminded Europe that turkey is crucial for our security. Now he’s pulling this shit and I doubt the European leaders will be loudly criticizing him
Where are all the praises for Turkiye?
All inspired by fascist fuckers like Modi, trump and Putin!
Really top EU member material
The mask always slips. Erdogan may try as he wishes to come across as reasonable but he can’t hide it.
and Europe is thinking on making deals and giving this man more power .
you just can’t make this stuff up
Erdoğan is a dictator and he will keep arresting people who’s against him till he dies. He’ll end up like Qaddafi or Saddam Hussein.
I’m Turkish who lives abroad and sick to my stomach from dictator erdogan. World needs to stop supporting this scumbag