Turkish police have arrested Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul and key challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in early morning raids that also targeted over 100 individuals, including politicians, business leaders, and municipal officials.

These individuals are accused of corruption and alleged connections to various terrorist organizations.

İmamoğlu recorded a video statement from his residence as police prepared to detain him, highlighting the significant numbers of officers at his door.

In the video, he expressed his commitment to democratic principles and stated, "I entrust myself to the people," stressing his determination to uphold fundamental rights.

The Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office has charged İmamoğlu as “the leader of a criminal organization,” citing accusations of extortion, fraud, and corruption.

Additionally, he and at least six local officials are charged with aiding a terrorist organization, specifically referencing the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

This allegation appears linked to local electoral strategies and coalitions formed during a period of electoral setbacks for Erdoğan’s party.

Notably, the PKK’s imprisoned leader had recently announced the group’s intention to disarm and dissolve.

İmamoğlu’s arrest comes as he was a leading candidate for the opposition's nomination for the presidential election in 2028. He had previously been a prominent figure in the Republican People’s Party (CHP) primaries but faced significant legal challenges, including a political ban stemming from a 2022 conviction for allegedly insulting election officials, which he is currently appealing.

Complicating matters further, Istanbul University recently annulled İmamoğlu’s diploma, a move that could prevent him from running for the presidency as a university degree is a legal requirement for candidacy.

İmamoğlu decried this decision as “legally baseless.”

In the wake of his arrest, stringent security measures were implemented across Istanbul, including bans on public protests and the closure of major thoroughfares.

Despite these measures, thousands of students congregated at Istanbul University to protest, leading to clashes with police.

A prominent labor union called on its members to assemble near the location of İmamoğlu’s detention.

Access to the internet in Turkey was reportedly limited following the arrests, with social media platforms, including X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, experiencing disruptions.

Özgür Özel, leader of the CHP, condemned İmamoğlu’s detention, framing it as an attempt to undermine democratic processes.

He stated, "There is currently a force in place to prevent the nation from determining the next president."

In contrast, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç dismissed allegations of political motivation behind the arrests, asserting that the rule of law remains a priority and that the judiciary operates independently.

The United Nations expressed hope that due process would be observed amidst the ongoing investigations.

İmamoğlu’s emergence as a formidable political figure began in 2019 when he won the Istanbul mayoralty, although his initial victory was annulled, necessitating a re-run, which he won again decisively.

Since then, he has been viewed as a pivotal figure in the Turkish political landscape, representing a significant challenge to Erdoğan’s long-standing rule.

In recent months, Turkish authorities have conducted widespread arrests as part of a crackdown that included detentions of pro-Kurdish politicians, journalists, and academics, alongside the removal of pro-Kurdish mayors in southeastern regions.

As protests evolved in response to İmamoğlu's detention, Özel, during an impromptu address to gathering crowds, remarked on the historical significance of Istanbul's governance in Turkish politics, stating, "He who wins Istanbul wins Turkey.

He who loses Istanbul loses Turkey."