‘We’re Free People’: Protests Erupt in Turkey Over Arrest of Main Rival to Erdogan

Latest Developments

Imamoglu Charged: Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the main rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was formally arrested on March 23 and charged with corruption. Imamoglu, who is widely expected to be named the Republican People’s Party (CHP) presidential candidate for the 2028 elections, faces allegations of “establishing and managing a criminal organization, taking bribes, extortion, unlawfully recording personal data, and rigging a tender.” He was detained at his residence on March 19, sparking mass demonstrations across Turkey. Istanbul University had earlier annulled Imamoglu’s status as a graduate of Turkey’s oldest university. The Turkish constitution requires all presidential candidates to be university graduates as a precondition for running.
CHP’s Ties to Pro-Kurdish Parties Cited in Case: Turkish prosecutors reportedly sought to file additional charges against Imamoglu, citing the CHP’s ties to the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) as indicative of “aiding an armed terrorist organization.” DEM has been accused of having links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which the party denies. The PKK declared a ceasefire with Turkey on March 1 after its jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan, called for the group to disarm.
Thousands Demonstrate in Turkey: Turkish authorities arrested over 1,100 people after thousands of citizens took to the streets to protest Imamoglu’s arrest. Tear gas and water cannons were used to disperse the crowds, while Istanbul instituted a four-day ban on public demonstrations, which was later extended for another four days on March 22. “I’m here for justice, I’m here for liberty,” one woman said, adding, “we’re free people and Turkish people cannot accept this.”

FDD Expert Response

“Turkey is now headed toward a very dark place, where basic democratic freedoms have been revoked. The Erdogan regime has made it clear that it will rule Turkey with an iron fist, without the possibility of being voted out. As things stand, it is impossible to describe Turkey as a democracy, even in the most basic sense.” — Sinan Ciddi, Non-Resident Senior Fellow

“Erdogan is taking a page out of the authoritarian playbook. Much like Iran or Russia, Erdogan is attempting to permanently cement his own rule rather than engage in a democratic process. The United States will now have to grapple with a security partner and NATO ally that is by all indications an autocracy. Congress and the White House should drastically reduce arms sales to Turkey and consider additional measures to isolate Erdogan’s government until democratic reforms are permanently adopted.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations, FDDA