Latest Developments
Arrests of Demonstrators: Turkish authorities arrested more than 100 protesters after thousands of Turkish citizens demonstrated throughout March 19 and March 20 against the politically motivated arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Imamoglu was detained at his residence on March 19 after being accused of corruption and links to terrorist organizations. The arrest came just days before Imamoglu — who is seen as the likeliest candidate to defeat Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a presidential election — was expected to be nominated as the presidential candidate for the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). CHP party leader Ozgur Ozel said on social media that the arrest amounted to “a coup attempt against our next president.”
Protest and Social Media Restrictions: Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that authorities detained dozens of people for sharing “provocative” posts related to Imamoglu’s arrest on social media. Additionally, the government restricted access to X, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Despite a four-day ban on demonstrations enacted by Istanbul Province’s Erdogan-aligned governor, thousands risked arrest to protest in front of Istanbul’s city hall, as well as in Turkey’s capital, Ankara.
European Leaders Express Concern: In recent years, Turkey has sought to join the European Union, but the European Commission, the European Union’s executive arm, has questioned Turkey’s democratic record. On March 20, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that despite efforts to improve relations between the European Union and Ankara in recent years, “the arrest of such a key opposition politician … is a very, very bad sign.” Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, called the arrest “deeply concerning,” adding that “Turkey must uphold the democratic values, especially the rights of elected officials.”
FDD Expert Response
“Imamoglu’s arrest confirmed what we already knew to be true about Turkey: that Erdogan will not accept any credible candidate to run against him for the presidency, and he is willing to do anything to hold onto power. The fact that these actions against Imamoglu, if left as is, will make him ineligible to run for president also tells us that Turkey is now an autocracy, whereby the regime gets to decide who can stand for public office. If it wasn’t already apparent, Erdogan’s contempt for democratic governance knows no bounds.” —Sinan Ciddi, Non-resident Senior Fellow
“Erdogan’s assault on democratic norms, including the jailing of Imamoglu, should come with serious consequences. Congress should stop all foreign military financing to Turkey until the State Department certifies that all political prisoners jailed under Erdogan’s rule have been released. The United States must use the leverage it has with Erdogan to compel immediate behavioral change.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations at FDD Action
FDD Background and Analysis
“Turkey Arrests Presidential Candidate Ekrem Imamoglu,” by Sinan Ciddi
“Following Launch of October 7 Task Force, Turkey and Qatar Should Feel the Heat,” by Natalie Ecanow and Sinan Ciddi
“Erdoğan’s fourth term, brought to you courtesy of Turkey’s Kurds?” by Sinan Ciddi
“Donald Trump Must Hold Turkey Accountable for Its Actions,” by Sinan Ciddi
Issues:
Turkey