On March 21, 2025, a Turkish court ordered the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on charges of financial corruption and alleged ties to a terrorist group, sparking widespread political controversy in the country. The decision followed months of investigations, during which authorities claimed to have uncovered illegal financial transfers and suspicious contracts within the Istanbul Municipality. Imamoglu, however, denied the allegations, calling them a "political conspiracy aimed at removing him from the political scene ahead of the upcoming elections."
In response to the decision, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Istanbul and other Turkish cities, condemning what they described as the "politicization of the judiciary." The protests were met with heavy security measures, including tear gas and the arrest of dozens of demonstrators. According to the Associated Press, the protests continued through March 22 outside Istanbul's city hall, where Imamoglu's supporters called for his release and an end to political trials.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on March 22 that "the opposition is not addressing the charges against Imamoglu but is attacking the judiciary," emphasizing that the case is a "purely legal matter." Meanwhile, the Republican People's Party (CHP) urged its supporters to persist in their "democratic struggle," arguing that the events were part of an effort to ensure victory for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in...
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