Thousands of supporters of jailed opposition politician Ekrem Imamoglu gathered at Istanbul’s Sarachane Square on Wednesday to mark one year since his arrest and to launch a wave of nationwide protests. The demonstration, organized by the Republican People’s Party (CHP), drew large crowds amid a heavy police presence as people chanted and waved flags and banners.
Imamoglu, the former mayor of Istanbul and a leading potential challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had his university degree revoked on March 18, 2025, and was arrested on terrorism and corruption charges the following day. He was officially removed from the mayoralty on March 23 and has spent the past year in pre-trial detention at Silivri prison on the outskirts of Istanbul. Prosecutors in the case, which only began in court earlier this month, are seeking a cumulative sentence of 2,430 years.
A message from Imamoglu was read aloud at the rally. In it he said the trial was not about truth or justice but about avoiding the prospect of electoral defeat, calling the closed-door proceedings the product of a corrupt mindset that fears free and fair elections and has turned to the judiciary to eliminate a political rival.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, who attended the demonstration, described the turnout as ‘‘hundreds of thousands’’ — a figure observers said was exaggerated — and denounced Imamoglu’s detention as a ‘‘civil coup.’’ Supporters responded with chants including ‘President Imamoglu!’ and ‘Tayyip, resign!’ Ozel, speaking alongside Imamoglu’s wife, declared, ‘Who said we stayed silent? Who said we gave up and surrendered?’ and urged continued resistance.
Since the CHP’s decisive local election victory in March 2024 over Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), the party has faced an extensive legal crackdown. Imamoglu is one of 15 CHP mayors currently jailed, a trend that has deepened opposition concerns about the narrowing of political space.
At the rally, supporters expressed frustration and determination. A 63-year-old woman told reporters that Imamoglu had been a presidential contender who was ‘‘one step ahead’’ and that his imprisonment was purely political. A 39-year-old man said he expected the authorities to keep Imamoglu isolated and prevent him from running again, but added that supporters would ‘‘use every opportunity we get’’ and would not simply abandon him.
Analysts say Imamoglu is highly unlikely to be able to contest the next presidential election, scheduled by May 2028 at the latest. Even if he is cleared of the graft allegations, a separate lawsuit challenging the validity of his university degree — a constitutional requirement for presidential candidates — could bar him from running. With Imamoglu likely sidelined, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel is widely viewed as the party’s probable candidate for the presidency.
The rally highlighted deep political divisions in Turkey and underscored mounting tensions as the opposition seeks to mobilize support while facing a sustained campaign of legal actions against its leaders.