A Turkish court has rejected an appeal for the release of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who has been detained since March 19 pending a corruption trial. Imamoglu, a prominent opposition figure and a potential challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two-decade rule, was formally imprisoned four days after his arrest. His detention is widely seen as politically motivated, aimed at sidelining a significant rival ahead of the next presidential elections, which are due to take place in 2028 but may be held sooner.
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The mayor’s arrest has sparked the largest wave of anti-government protests in Turkey in over a decade. His supporters argue that the charges against him are part of an effort by Erdogan’s government to suppress opposition voices and stifle democratic freedoms. Despite the ongoing protests, which have mostly been peaceful, nearly 2,000 people have been detained, and many are still awaiting trial. The government maintains that the judiciary operates independently and without political influence.
On Monday, the Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance upheld Imamoglu’s detention, rejecting appeals made by his legal team. His lawyers argued that the investigation against him had been conducted in violation of legal standards and vowed to renew their appeal. Alongside Imamoglu, other individuals, including Murat Ongun, a close aide to the mayor, have also been denied release on similar corruption charges.
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Internationally, there has been increasing concern over Turkey’s democratic backsliding, particularly after Imamoglu’s arrest. Alain Berset, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, expressed alarm over the violation of rights and the suppression of political dissent. He stressed the importance of upholding human rights, including freedom of assembly and speech, in Turkey. The European Union has also voiced concerns, with some members calling the case against Imamoglu a politically motivated attempt to weaken Erdogan’s opponents ahead of the elections.
