A media workers’ union has reported that Turkish authorities have detained several journalists during a crackdown linked to escalating protests over the imprisonment of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. On Sunday, a court officially charged Imamoglu with corruption and ordered his incarceration pending trial, igniting the largest protests in Turkey in over a decade, raising alarms about the state of democracy and rule of law in the country.
His arrest has resulted in widespread demonstrations across Turkey, with Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stating that more than 1,133 individuals have been detained since the mayor’s arrest. He reported injuries among over 123 police officers due to unrest, and asserted that some arrested had connections to groups deemed terrorist organisations. In response, the Disk-Basin-Is union condemned the arrests of eight journalists and called for their immediate release, citing it as an attack on press freedoms.
In addition to the crackdown on journalists, the social media platform X has indicated its opposition to Turkish government orders to block over 700 accounts, targeting news outlets and political figures. Amidst these tensions, Imamoglu has urged citizens to protest peacefully and avoid violence, asserting that he is committed to his role regardless of his circumstances.
Erdogan, in a televised address, has accused opposition leaders of inciting chaos and failing to address corruption allegations. Imamoglu’s detention is perceived as a strategic move to eliminate a potential rival against Erdogan in the upcoming presidential elections slated for 2028.
Imamoglu, who was originally elected in March 2019, has been a thorn in Erdogan’s side, winning a repeat election that year after the initial results were annulled. His recent imprisonment comes at a time when he has gained significant support and was recently endorsed as the presidential candidate for his opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP).
Additionally, Ankara’s Municipality is under scrutiny, due to allegations of misusing public funds related to concert organisation, despite passed audits. The political atmosphere in Turkey is charged, with Erdogan’s government facing criticism for its handling of dissent and media freedoms as unrest continues to unfold in the wake of Imamoglu’s arrest.