Thousands online react to detention of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu

Thousands of people on social media on Wednesday reacted to the detention of Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul’s mayor and Erdogan’s rival in Turkey’s main opposition party.

Imamoglu’s detention comes a year after his victory in the Istanbul mayoral elections, where he was re-elected with 51.14 percent of the vote. Terrorism charges were brought against him on Wednesday, resulting in his detention, allowing the Turkish interior minister to remove him from office and replace him with a government-appointed official until the court process is completed.

Istanbul University invalidated Istanbul Imamoglu’s diploma on Tuesday, a move that gives the government the means to unseat the opposition figure a year after his re-election and endanger a potential presidential bid from the mayor in the next election.

Imamoglu has been campaigning to become the presidential candidate of the main opposition, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), a nomination expected to be announced in April. He is widely regarded as one of the most formidable rivals to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – who was also once the mayor of Istanbul – and was also imprisoned whilst mayor. 

Many online, including Ozgur Ozel, chairman of the CHP, described Imamoglu’s detention as a “civil coup” against the will of the people in a statement on X.

A civilian coup is in full progress in Turkey. Unless EU acts swiftly and decisively, they will not only be complicit but will also endanger Europe’s own long-term security.

— Murat Somer (@murat_somer_eng) March 19, 2025

Various global leaders, members of the European Parliament and mayors shared a message of support for Imamoglu: “We stand with Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu; we stand for democracy in Turkey.”

The message was shared by Imamoglu’s X account. 

I deeply appreciate the support of global leaders and MEPs for democracy in Türkiye. On this difficult day for my country, your solidarity strengthens our commitment for justice and democratic values. pic.twitter.com/5aPKN7fxxM

— Ekrem İmamoğlu (International) (@imamoglu_int) March 19, 2025

Many academics worldwide reacted to the news, calling it an “authoritarian move” by Erdogan. 

Many online called his detainment “a mockery of the electoral process”, which pushes Turkey down the path of “autocracy”.

The Turkish opposition’s frontrunner and scores of politicians from the main opposition party were detained this morning. This is a coup against the main opposition party, with far-reaching consequences for Turkey’s political regime. Since the country’s transition to democratic… https://pub1fy39c.tammnan.de/OUY534xaB9

— Berk (@berkesen) March 19, 2025

Some online said that the move was an attempt at “avoiding to face İmamoğlu in a fair election” because his detention directly followed the revoking of Imamoglu’s diploma, which is a “legally baseless decision”, according to a statement by Imamoglu. 

Imamoglu’s detention follows a series of investigations and lawsuits against him, with the most serious charges carrying a potential prison sentence of over seven years and a political ban.

Turkish media also reported that detention orders had been issued for around 100 other individuals linked to Imamoglu, including Istanbul district mayors, politicians, and prominent dissident journalist Ismail Saymaz.

President of the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament, Iratxe Garcia Perez, said this is “a dark day for democracy in Turkey”. She added that she would request a debate in the European Parliament on this “grave moment”.

The arrest of @ekrem_imamoglu and 100+ members of the opposition & civil society is a dark day for democracy in Turkey. We will request a debate in the EP on this grave moment.

We will fight for İmamoğlu’s release and to hold Erdoğan accountable for this repression.

Attacks on… https://pub1fy39c.tammnan.de/5mZYDAXCqQ

— Iratxe García Pérez /❤️ (@IratxeGarper) March 19, 2025

Meanwhile, the Istanbul governor’s office ordered the closure of several major streets, metro stations and roads in the city, as well as key transportation hubs, while imposing a four-day ban on protests. Many on social media defined this move as a “major degradation of Turkey’s rule of law.” 

NetBlocks, an advocacy group monitoring internet connectivity, reported that the government had throttled access to major social media platforms, including X, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, on Wednesday.

The Istanbul mayor’s detention comes four days ahead of the CHP’s preliminary vote for a presidential candidate, in which Imamoglu was the top contender. CHP chairman Ozel said that President Erdogan is “orchestrating a coup against his rival”. 

As the pressure mounted on Imamoglu amid the crisis, he was reported to have told the CHP chairman to hold the vote on 23 March no matter his legal status or whereabouts, according to a report by Fayn Studio news.