Turkish court jails Erdogan’s main rival Ekrem Imamoglu as he vows to ‘not bow down’

Istanbul mayor and a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ekrem Imamoglu, was formally arrested Sunday (March 23) by a Turkish court pending trial on corruption charges. It comes after the mayor was arrested on Wednesday during police raids, triggering mass protests across the country. The court said Imamoglu and at least 20 others were jailed as part of a corruption investigation but it refused to pursue terror charges.

“Although there is strong suspicion of aiding an armed terrorist organisation, since it has already been decided that he will be arrested for financial crimes, (his arrest) is not deemed necessary at this stage,” said a court statement.

According to media reports, since terror charges are not slapped against the 53-year-old jailed mayor, the court won’t be able to appoint a government trustee to the municipality of Istanbul, the country’s largest city. “It is good news for the main opposition party [Republican People’s Party (CHP)], which controls a majority in the municipal council,” said Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu while reporting from the scene.

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Imamoglu reacts

In a response to the court ruling, Imamoglu said he won’t bow down and he was “standing tall”.

“We will, hand in hand, uproot this blow, this black stain on our democracy… I am standing tall, I will not bow down,” the Istanbul mayor said in a post on X.

His CHP party said they will appeal the court decision. Leader Ozgur Ozel of the CHP told reporters Sunday that the Istanbul municipality council, which is dominated by their party, would now elect someone to work as acting mayor.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Erdogan has accused the CHP of “doing everything to disturb the public peace, to polarise the nation.”

Protests intensifying

Authorities had implemented heightened security measures in Istanbul since Saturday evening ahead of the court ruling and amid massive protests.

Earlier, a protest ban was put in place to deter demonstrators but to no avail, as more than 300,000 people hit the streets on Saturday night in the city.

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The court’s decision on Sunday coincides with the CHP’s primary election, where members are selecting a candidate for the 2028 presidential race.

Imamoglu is the frontrunner for CHP’s nomination, but his candidacy took a hit after Istanbul University annulled his diploma last week, citing irregularities with Council of Higher Education regulations. Under the Turkish Constitution, a presidential candidate must hold a higher education degree.

Imamoglu alleged the university’s decision was “illegal” and he would seek relief from court.

The decision of the Istanbul University Board of Directors is UNLAWFUL” he said. “The days when those who made this decision will be held accountable before history and justice are near.”

(With inputs from agencies)