Turkish authorities have detained Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the main political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on charges of corruption and ties to the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), marking a dramatic escalation in the government’s crackdown on opposition figures.
Imamoglu, a key figure in Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was set to be named the party’s candidate for the 2028 presidential elections. His arrest comes after Istanbul University revoked his degree, a decision that would disqualify him from running for president, as Turkish law requires candidates to hold a university degree. The move is seen as part of a broader strategy to prevent Imamoglu from challenging Erdogan in the future.
The arrest follows significant losses by Erdogan’s ruling party in recent local elections, where the CHP made major gains, including sweeping Istanbul. The detention has raised concerns internationally, with critics arguing it represents a severe setback for democracy in Turkey. Foreign governments, including those of Germany and France, have condemned the move, highlighting the growing fears over the erosion of democratic rights in the country.
