On March 19, 2025, the detention of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, alongside roughly 106 municipal officials and politicians, raised alarm bells about political repression in Türkiye. Human Rights Watch condemned this action as an attack on democratic processes, particularly affecting the rights of voters who elected İmamoğlu.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that the detentions were part of two investigations into İmamoğlu. Appropriately, the timing coincides with his impending nomination by the Republican People’s Party (CHP) to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in upcoming presidential elections. Hugh Williamson from Human Rights Watch urged for the immediate release of those detained, stressing that the justice system should not be weaponised for political purposes.
Over the past five months, the Istanbul prosecutor’s office has launched politically driven investigations against middle managers within municipalities overseen by the CHP. İmamoğlu faces five criminal cases, which lack substantial evidence; the university recently revoked his diploma, an act denounced by legal experts as an abuse of authority intended to thwart his presidential candidacy.
The day of the detentions also saw the Istanbul governor’s office prohibit public gatherings, while internet throttling impeded access to social media and news. Prior to the 19th, several CHP district mayors and municipal council members had already been detained under dubious terrorism and corruption investigations.
Accusations linking the CHP to terrorism stem from the 2024 arrest of Esenyurt’s mayor, Ahmet Özer, followed by pretrial detention claims of PKK membership. The party’s coalition with the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party, particularly for local elections, has led to further targeted investigations. Those accused were believed to operate under PKK instructions, a claim that lacks substantiation.
Moreover, the authorities have justified replacing elected mayors with appointees in 10 southeastern municipalities, using terrorism allegations to legitimise these actions, further stifling democratic representation.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained alongside 106 officials on March 19, 2025, in a politically motivated action condemned by Human Rights Watch. Prosecutors accused İmamoğlu of terrorism links amidst ongoing investigations. This crackdown raises serious concerns about political repression and threats to democratic processes in Türkiye, especially as he was set to run for presidency against Erdoğan.
In summary, the detention of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu reflects a concerning trend of political suppression in Türkiye, with accusations often lacking reliable evidence. This crackdown not only undermines the integrity of local governance but also poses a significant threat to the democratic rights of citizens. Urgent calls for the release of the detained officials echo the need to respect electoral results and prevent the manipulation of legal frameworks for political ends.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
