His wife, Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, called on citizens to vote “for democracy, justice and the future” after casting her ballot with their son Selim.
The arrest has triggered widespread protests across Turkey. Demonstrations erupted in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and other cities. Protesters chanted in support of İmamoğlu, whom they view as a key political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Authorities responded with force. Police used tear gas, water cannons and stun grenades. Over 320 people were detained during weekend protests, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
The Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office accuses İmamoğlu of leading a criminal organisation and engaging in bribery and money laundering related to municipal contracts. He is also alleged to have cooperated with the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) via an electoral alliance with the pro-Kurdish DEM party in 2024. Both İmamoğlu and the CHP reject the accusations and claim the charges are politically motivated.
İmamoğlu’s arrest followed a decision by Istanbul University to annul his university degree, citing academic irregularities. Turkish law requires presidential candidates to hold a university degree. The annulment effectively bars him from running. The timing, days before the public vote, raised concerns of political interference.
The Ministry of the Interior suspended İmamoğlu from his duties as mayor on the day of his arrest. An earlier attempt to jail him on terrorism charges was rejected by a court, but detention continued under the corruption case. He remains in custody at the Vatan Security Department in Istanbul. Over 100 individuals, including municipal officials and businesspeople, are also under investigation.
Protests continued despite a four-day ban on public gatherings in Istanbul. Authorities placed riot fences and armoured vehicles around Istanbul's main courthouse. Thousands gathered nearby, chanting slogans in support of İmamoğlu. One protester, Aykut Cenk, 30, said, “We are here supporting the candidate we voted for. We are not enemies of the state, but what happened is illegal.”
President Erdoğan warned that “terror will not be allowed in the streets.” He defended the crackdown, framing it as a legal response to criminal activities. His government blocked access to Twitter, YouTube and Instagram in several regions during the protests.
The international response was swift. France’s foreign ministry condemned the arrest, calling it “a serious attack on democracy.” The Council of Europe announced it would raise the matter in an upcoming meeting. Human rights organisations and EU officials also criticised the arrest and its implications for political pluralism in Turkey.
Domestic politicians voiced disapproval. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel described the arrest as a “political coup.” Ankara’s mayor Mansur Yavaş called the removal of an elected mayor “unacceptable.” Former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, now leader of the Future Party, said the events were a “disgrace.”
The Turkish lira fell by 14.5 percent against the US dollar after the arrest. The BIST 100 index dropped 8.7 percent. The central bank responded by selling foreign currency reserves. Economists warned of lasting investor concern amid deepening political instability.
Despite his detention, İmamoğlu issued a statement via his lawyer: “We will erase this dark stain from our democracy. I will not bow.” CHP urged continued mobilisation, saying, “There is a political coup in Turkey.”
HT