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Turkish authorities have removed all images, videos and even social media traces of jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in a sweeping crackdown.
University students hold a banner reading “Govenemt Resign” as they gather in protest in Besiktas district in Istanbul following Istanbul metropolitan Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s detention over a corruption probe. (IMAGE: AFP)
Turkey has banned all public images and videos of Istanbul’s jailed mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, intensifying a political battle that has sparked protests and shaken investor confidence, according to a report by news outlet Bloomberg. Authorities also detained over 40 municipality staff in a fresh round of raids as part of a corruption probe, which the opposition says is politically motivated.
Earlier this month, Turkish officials blocked Imamoglu’s account on social media platform X, where he had nearly 10 million followers. The government has accused him of misusing public platforms for political propaganda.
Imamoglu, a senior leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has become one of the strongest challengers to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. His calm, inclusive style has struck a chord with Turkey’s urban and younger voters, offering a stark contrast to Erdogan’s increasingly authoritarian approach.
He rose to national prominence in 2019 after defeating Erdogan’s ruling AK Party not once but twice in the Istanbul mayoral elections. The government had controversially ordered a rerun after losing the first round—only for Imamoglu to win with an even larger margin.
His arrest in March this year on graft charges has deepened the crisis. Imamoglu denies the allegations and says they are aimed at keeping him out of the 2028 presidential race. His party, the CHP, claims the government is using courts to block political rivals.
The crackdown comes as Erdogan pushes for a new constitution while ignoring growing calls for early elections. Imamoglu accuses the president of damaging Turkey’s democratic institutions by centralizing power. He also blames Erdogan’s policies for the country’s economic mess, marked by high inflation, a crashing lira, and widespread corruption.
Istanbul holds immense political and economic value—it’s home to 20 percent of the population and is Turkey’s financial heart. Erdogan himself was once its mayor. The fact that Imamoglu now runs the city is a major threat to the ruling party, especially as it tries to protect its vast political and financial networks.
Following his arrest, the Turkish lira fell sharply, forcing the central bank to raise interest rates and dip into nearly $50 billion in foreign reserves to stabilize the currency.
Despite the crackdown, thousands recently joined a rally by the CHP in Istanbul demanding Imamoglu’s release and accusing the government of trying to silence dissent.
- Location :
Istanbul, Turkey
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