By Azra Ceylan
İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained in a dawn raid on his home March 19, a day after the revocation of his university diploma and days before he would compete for his party’s presidential candidacy.
Detention warrants were issued for İmamoğlu and over 100 associates on charges of “leading, membership to a criminal organisation”, “corruption”, “bribery”, “aggravated fraud”, “obtaining personal information illegally” and “fixing a public tender,” state news agency AA reported.
“We are faced with great bullying but I want you to know that I won’t give up. I love you all very much. I entrust myself to my people,” İmamoğlu said, speaking in a low voice as he tied his tie in a social media video he shared before leaving his home with police early Wednesday.
İstanbul Municipality Deputy Sec. Gen. Mahir Polat and the mayors of the opposition-run Şişli and Beylikdüzü municipalities were among the March 19 detainees, with Şişli municipal workers staging a protest in front of their workplace.
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Demonstration ban and social media restrictions
In an attempt to deter further protests, a four-day demonstration ban was issued in İstanbul, with public transportation and traffic cut off to central locations like Taksim and Fatih, where the city's mayor is currently held in police custody. A heavy security presence was also reported in major gathering areas, which were fenced off overnight and are currently stocked with anti-riot forces and armored water cannon trucks.
Meanwhile, NetBlocks data indicated online access restrictions were applied this morning on X, Instagram and YouTube in Turkey, with some WhatsApp users also reporting a slow down in functionality.
“Mister governor, this is a coup, it’s a coup attempt,” said Özgür Çelik, İstanbul chair for the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), urging government offices to refrain from participating in the operations.
The İstanbul mayor’s detention comes four days ahead of the CHP’s primary vote for a presidential candidate, in which İmamoğlu was the top contender. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel said that Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was “orchestrating a coup against his rival, who he thinks will defeat him.”
As judicial pressure mounted on İmamoğlu in previous days, he reportedly told the CHP chairman to hold the primary vote on March 23 regardless of his whereabouts or legal status, which remain uncertain following today’s detention.
“Regardless of what condition we are in, whether we are [behind bars] or out, whether we are living or in the grave, those ballot boxes will be set up and these coup attempters will be held accountable,” Özel said on his way to İstanbul on March 19.
The CHP called on supporters to meet at their party offices for protests in Ankara, while İstanbul supporters were called to meet in Fatih.
Imamoglu's university diploma revoked
Today’s news comes after İmamoğlu’s university diploma was revoked Tuesday by the İstanbul University board, a decision he dubbed as “unlawful”, stating it could only have been taken by the university’s School of Business board.
The reason given for İmamoğlu’s diploma cancellation was a transfer to İstanbul University some 31 years ago, which the university board said was irregular.
A university diploma is a requirement for presidential candidates in Turkey, meaning its revocation could potentially disqualify İmamoğlu from running against Erdoğan in the next elections, expected in 2028 or earlier.
In response to the morning’s detentions, the İstanbul municipality said they “have full confidence that justice will be reinstated and all of our colleagues, starting with our mayor, will return to their posts.”
