Turkey Erdogan rival on trial - Is there a threat of pre-trial detention?
The Istanbul public prosecutor's office has demanded pre-trial detention for the arrested mayor and Erdogan rival Ekrem Imamoglu.
23.03.2025, 02:27
SDA
This was reported by the state news agency Anadolu. Imamoglu is now to be brought before a judge.
The CHP politician is accused of terrorism and corruption in two separate trials. According to Anadolu, pre-trial detention has been demanded in both cases. Specifically, the corruption investigations involve allegations of membership of a criminal organization, extortion, bribery, fraud and tender manipulation. The terrorism investigations are therefore concerned with allegations of support for the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Imamoglu vehemently denies the allegations.
Critics see the action against Imamoglu as an attempt by the government to eliminate a political opponent and consider the accusations to be fabricated. The protests on the streets are also explicitly directed against the government. Imamoglu is considered a promising rival to the ruling President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the upcoming presidential election. Despite his arrest, the Istanbul mayor was due to be nominated as a presidential candidate by the opposition CHP this Sunday.
In the nationwide vote on Imamoglu's candidacy, in addition to 1.7 million CHP party members, citizens are also called upon to vote symbolically at 4,000 ballot boxes across the country. Imamoglu is the only candidate. The results are expected to be announced on Sunday evening.
Candidacy depends on authorities close to the government
The Istanbul mayor was arrested on Wednesday. His planned candidacy had already been decided by then. However, Imamoglu will not be an official candidate until the Turkish electoral authority YSK, which is considered pro-government, confirms his candidacy. However, if the terror investigations have not been dropped by then, it is unlikely that his candidacy will be accepted. In addition, Imamoglu's university degree was revoked on Tuesday. The decision is not yet final. A degree is a prerequisite for running for president in Turkey.
Imamoglu rejects accusations in first interrogation
Imamoglu himself testified before the public prosecutor's office into the night, as several media reported. He was then to be brought before a judge to testify. It is uncertain whether the appointment with the judge will be followed by an order for pre-trial detention.
Imamoglu had previously been questioned about the allegations for several hours at a police station on Saturday. "The immoral and baseless accusations made against me, which range from fabricated reports to the timing of the investigation, are aimed at undermining my reputation and credibility," Imamoglu said afterwards via the city administration.
Protests against the government continue
On Saturday, tens of thousands of people once again took to the streets across the country to protest against Imamoglu's arrest. Police in Istanbul and Ankara used pepper spray against demonstrators.
Meanwhile, the Turkish media regulator RTÜK threatened the country's media with penalties and license revocation in the event of "false reporting". "We once again call on the media not to rely on biased and untrue reporting, but to publish only official information and statements from the relevant authorities," wrote the head of the institution, Ebubekir Sahin, on the X platform. Otherwise, measures would be taken that "extend to long-term broadcasting bans and ultimately even the withdrawal of licenses". He issued "a final warning". According to reports, some broadcasters stopped their live coverage of demonstrations in the country.
Ilhan Tasci, a member of the opposition's media watchdog, wrote on the X platform that Sahin had suspended press freedom in the country.
Protest bans tightened in Istanbul
Protests have been banned in several cities. The Istanbul governor's office recently tightened and extended the protest bans. Access restrictions now also apply to the city, according to a statement from the office. People who want to take part in demonstrations, for example, will no longer be allowed into the city. How this is to be implemented was initially unclear.
In addition to demonstrations and gatherings, putting up posters, distributing flyers, collecting signatures and commemorative events will also be prohibited. According to the announcement, all measures will initially apply until midnight on Wednesday.
