İmamoğlu

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was detained last month, is widely seen as the biggest challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

İmamoğlu’s arrest and imprisonment have been widely viewed as politically motivated despite Turkey’s government insisting the judiciary is independent and free from political influence.

İmamoğlu, widely seen as the main political challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 22-year rule, was jailed on 23 March pending trial on corruption charges.

Katarina Barley, Vice President of the European Parliament, was among the delegation that visited the jailed politician in Istanbul’s Silivri prison.

İmamoğlu’s arrest has been widely viewed as politically motivated and sparked demonstrations in cities across the country, some of which have turned violent.

Ekrem Imamoglu, who was set to be Erdogan’s main rival in the 2028 election, was formally arrested and charged with corruption.

There is currently no obstacle for İmamoğlu, who was announced as the CHP’s presidential candidate, to be elected despite his arrest.

The mass protests triggered by Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest come as the EU tries to deepen its engagement with Turkey over Syria and Ukraine.

Turkey is cracking down on large protests triggered by the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul Mayor and rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Protests erupted on Wednesday after Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested following a dawn raid of his residence as authorities investigated allegations of corruption and terrorism.