Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu Faces Arrest, Sparks Protests Ahead of 2028 Presidential Bid

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate for the 2028 presidential election and a prominent challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was detained on Wednesday. The arrest, based on corruption and terrorism charges, has triggered widespread protests across Turkey, particularly in major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. These demonstrations mark some of the largest opposition gatherings since the Gezi Park protests in 2013. Imamoglu first gained national attention in 2019 when he unexpectedly won the Istanbul mayoral election, defeating the candidate from Erdogan's AKP party. After an initial annulment, he won a re-run with a significantly larger margin. He secured another victory in the 2024 mayoral election, further solidifying his position as a key figure in Turkish politics. Despite facing criticism and legal challenges, Imamoglu's continued success is viewed by many as a testament to the strength of Turkish democracy.