Why Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's arrest has ignited mass protests in Turkey

Protesters hang a banner with the image of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as they protest against his arrest, in Istanbul, Turkey.

The arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu -- an outspoken critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- last week has ignited a series of violent protests across Turkey, with thousands taking to the streets and police resorting to the use of pepper spray and rubber bullets, and tear gas shelling. Meanwhile, a court in Istanbul formally arrested Imamoglu on Sunday and ordered him jailed pending the outcome of a trial on corruption charges.

The development is significant not only because of Imamoglu's prominent political position but also due to the broader implications it holds for Turkey's democratic processes and political landscape.

Before we delve into the factors which fuelled the unrest in Turkiye, let's briefly understand why the biggest critic of the Turkish President was arrested last week.

Ekrem Imamoglu, a member of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), rose to prominence after winning the Istanbul mayoral elections in 2019 and securing re-election in 2024. His victories were seen as major setbacks to President Erdogan's ruling party, as Istanbul holds substantial political and economic importance in Turkey. Imamoglu's leadership in Istanbul positioned him as a significant challenger to Erdogan's long-standing political dominance.

Circumstances leading to the arrest

In the months preceding his arrest, Imamoglu intensified his criticism of Erdogan's administration, which led to several legal challenges against him. On March 19, 2025, Turkish authorities detained him on charges of corruption, bribery, money laundering, and alleged support for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its allies. Alongside Imamoglu, over 100 individuals, including journalists and business figures, were also detained in connection with alleged irregularities in municipal contracts.

On March 23, Imamoglu was formally arrested following a court order, which also directed that he remains prisoned pending the outcome of trial in graft charges against him.

Public outburst and nationwide protests

Imamoglu's imprisonment is widely regarded as a political move to remove a major contender from the next presidential race, currently scheduled for 2028. However, government officials reject accusations that legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated and insist that Turkiye's courts operate independently.

CHP leader Ozgur Ozel described the detention as "a coup against our next president" and called for unity among opposition groups. Within hours of arrest, hundreds of demonstrators gathered near Istanbul's central police headquarters, where Imamoglu was held, chanting anti-government slogans and expressing support for the mayor.

Earlier today, the police resorted to pepper spray and rubber bullets to disperse the thousands of protesters who gathered outside the city hall in Instanbul.

There is a growing sense of frustration and discontent among many Turkish citizens regarding the current political and economic climate. Imamoglu's arrest has become a focal point for this discontent, channeling widespread anger and resentment. Adding oil tol the fire is the government's response to these escalating protests.

The Istanbul Governor's Office imposed a four-day ban on public gatherings and deployed security forces to key locations. Riot police and water cannon vehicles were stationed to block access to certain areas, leading to clashes between law enforcement and protesters. Despite these measures, tens of thousands continued to rally, particularly around Istanbul's municipal offices, with many chanting slogans like "Imamoglu, you are not alone!" and "Erdogan, dictator!"