Turkey is facing its most significant street unrest in over a decade following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent opposition figure and potential presidential candidate in the 2028 elections. Imamoglu’s arrest has triggered mass protests across the country, with tens of thousands defying government restrictions to demonstrate in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and other major Turkish cities. The unrest marks the most serious public mobilization since the Gezi Park protests in 2013. Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested in a pre-dawn raid on Wednesday, with authorities charging him with corruption, bribery, and alleged links to terrorism. His arrest occurred just hours before his anticipated nomination as the opposition CHP party's presidential candidate for the 2028 election. This timing has heightened suspicions that the charges are politically motivated to prevent Imamoglu from challenging Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the future.
 

The unrest intensified over the weekend as protesters gathered outside Istanbul's City Hall for five consecutive nights. Imamoglu’s wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, addressed the massive crowd of supporters, warning authorities that they would ultimately face defeat. "He will defeat you!... you will lose!" she declared to thunderous applause. She described the injustice against her husband as symbolic of the broader struggles faced by many Turkish citizens, resonating with those angry about political oppression, economic instability, and declining social freedoms. Imamoglu's supporters have widely denounced his arrest as a “political coup,” arguing that the charges are baseless and designed to prevent a strong opposition figure from challenging Erdogan’s rule. Many believe this reflects a long-standing pattern of Turkish authorities targeting political rivals. A protester named Ferhat claimed that “whenever there’s a strong opponent to Erdogan, they are always jailed.” Meanwhile, pharmacist Ayten Oktay emphasized that public outrage extended beyond Imamoglu’s case, reflecting larger frustrations with Turkey’s democracy, economic struggles, and social instability.
 

Imamoglu’s arrest followed accusations that his 2019 election victory in Istanbul was linked to support from a pro-Kurdish party allegedly associated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Ankara designates as a terrorist group. While Turkish authorities cited corruption and financial crimes as the primary reason for his arrest, Imamoglu’s supporters view these charges as politically driven. The court ruled against detaining Imamoglu on terrorism charges but ordered his imprisonment for alleged financial misconduct. Following his detention, Turkey’s interior ministry announced his suspension from office. Despite his suspension and imprisonment, Imamoglu remains defiant. In a message posted via his lawyers, he condemned his arrest as a political maneuver, stating, “This is not a judicial procedure; it's a political execution without trial.” Urging his supporters not to lose hope, Imamoglu vowed to continue fighting. “I stand tall and will keep my head high. Fear cannot stop the inevitable! One way or another, you will be defeated,” he wrote. His message ended with a powerful call for unity, encouraging citizens to remain hopeful that democracy would prevail. The timing of Imamoglu’s arrest has drawn considerable criticism, particularly given that just hours before his detention, Turkish authorities revoked his university degree — a key requirement for presidential candidates under Turkey’s constitution. Critics believe this calculated move reflects Erdogan’s attempt to weaken any credible opposition threat in the upcoming elections.
 

Despite the escalating crisis, the CHP party proceeded with Imamoglu’s nomination in their primary election, calling on all Turks — not just CHP members — to participate in what they described as a symbolic referendum against Erdogan’s government. Reports indicate that 15 million Turks cast their votes, with over 13 million non-party members participating in solidarity with Imamoglu. The scale of the protests has been unprecedented in recent years. Demonstrations spread rapidly across Turkey, with rallies recorded in at least 55 of the country’s 81 provinces. The sheer scale of the movement, particularly led by younger demographics, highlights growing dissatisfaction with Erdogan’s government. Many participants view the protests as a larger demand for political freedom, economic reforms, and an end to perceived authoritarianism. In response to the unrest, Turkish authorities reportedly requested social media platform X to block over 700 accounts associated with the protests. This move has fueled further criticism of the government’s attempt to suppress opposition voices. Imamoglu’s arrest has thrust Turkey into a state of heightened political tension, with public anger unlikely to subside soon. His supporters view him as a symbol of resistance, while Erdogan’s government faces mounting pressure from both domestic critics and international observers. The situation continues to unfold as Turkey braces for what could be a prolonged period of political instability and public unrest.