Supporters of Ekrem Imamoglu, the imprisoned Mayor of Istanbul, assert that millions have rallied to protest his arrest on corruption charges, with no official numbers available but observers deeming these to be the largest antigovernment protests in a decade. Imamoglu, accused of various offenses including criminal organization and bribery, has denied these claims. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan maintains that any accusations of a crime must face judicial trials, while the leader of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), Ozgur Ozel, encourages the protests and petition to demand Imamoglu’s release and an early presidential election. Imamoglu’s appeal is attributed to improvements in Istanbul’s infrastructure and social services, as well as his personality and non-divisive approach in Turkish politics. Erdogan denies any political motivation behind Imamoglu’s charges and accuses the CHP of protecting those who attack the police. The CHP criticizes the accusations as politically driven and encourages boycotts against companies perceived as allied with the ruling AK Party. While Imamoglu is praised for his governance, he has also faced criticism for his handling of city infrastructure and for personal actions such as vacationing after a quake. The CHP’s determination to support Imamoglu is potentially linked to his strategic importance for their political appeal, particularly as a candidate who may attract more conservative votes. There are notable life parallels between Imamoglu and Erdogan, who both started their political careers as mayors of Istanbul and faced periods of incarceration and political bans.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/6/how-much-support-is-there-for-ekrem-imamoglu-istanbuls-imprisoned-mayor?traffic_source=rss