Turkey jails Istanbul mayor ahead of selection to run against Erdogan | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
May 28, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025
Turkey jails Istanbul mayor ahead of selection to run against Erdogan

Middle East

Reuters
23 March, 2025, 08:00 pm
Last modified: 23 March, 2025, 08:06 pm

Related News

  • Erdogan tells Sharaa Turkey welcomes lifting of Syria sanctions
  • India cuts ties with Turkey amid growing boycott calls over Pakistan row
  • Istanbul peace talks lay bare chasm between Ukraine and Russia
  • Russia says Ukraine talks yielded a prisoner swap deal and an agreement to keep talking
  • An aide, a diplomat and a spy: Who is Putin sending to Turkey?

Turkey jails Istanbul mayor ahead of selection to run against Erdogan

Ruling likely to stoke tension after four days of protests

Reuters
23 March, 2025, 08:00 pm
Last modified: 23 March, 2025, 08:06 pm
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Turkey, January 31, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File photo
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Turkey, January 31, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File photo

A Turkish court on Sunday jailed President Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, pending trial on graft charges, in a move likely to stoke the country's biggest protests against the government in more than a decade.

The decision to send Imamoglu to jail comes after the main opposition party, European leaders and tens of thousands of protesters criticised the actions against him as politicised and undemocratic.

Imamoglu has denied the charges, calling them "unimaginable accusations and slanders".

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"I am standing tall, I will never bow down," Imamoglu said on X, calling on supporters not to lose hope. "We will rip away this coup, this dark stain on our democracy all together."

The government denies that investigations are politically motivated and says courts are independent. It has warned against protests, especially given a nationwide ban on street gatherings that was extended on Saturday for four more days.

As the courtroom developments unfolded early on Sunday, members of Imamoglu's Republican People's Party (CHP), the main opposition against Erdogan's ruling alliance, were preparing to anoint Imamoglu as its candidate for the next presidential election.

He is the only nominee and hundreds of people had flocked to polling stations for the election to show support after the court ruling, after protests and skirmishes with police continued through the night in major cities.

No general election is scheduled until 2028. But if Erdogan, who has led Turkey for 22 years, is to run again, parliament would need to back an earlier election since the president will have reached his limit by that date. Imamoglu is leading Erdogan in some opinion polls.

The court said Imamoglu, 54, and at least 20 others were jailed as part of a corruption investigation, one of two that were opened against him last week.

In a statement, the court said Imamoglu was arrested for "establishing and leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, embezzlement, unlawfully recording personal data, and rigging public tenders in connection with a financial investigation".

MARKET TURMOIL

Imamoglu is also facing terrorism charges, but was not formally arrested on those at the same time.

"Although there is strong suspicion of aiding an armed terrorist organization, since it has already been decided that he will be arrested for financial crimes, (his arrest) is not deemed necessary at this stage," the court said.

A future court ruling to jail him pending trial on terrorism-related charges could pave the way for the government to appoint a trustee to run the country's largest city. A conviction could lead to him being ruled out of running for the presidency.

The CHP said it would file an appeal against the ruling and elect someone to work as acting mayor.

Shortly after the court ruling, the defiant mayor said he would not give up and vowed to defeat Erdogan, while saying those who ran the investigation would be held accountable eventually.

"Fear does not change your fate! You will lose one way or another," Imamoglu said in the post on X, in a reference to Erdogan.

Thousands crowded outside the courthouse overnight and early on Sunday, as they awaited the rulings on the mayor.

"Imamoglu has become Erdogan's ... nightmare .... We will make Ekrem Imamoglu president," Mehmet Karatas, an opposition supporter, said outside the courthouse.

Imamoglu's detention has roiled markets, with the Turkish lira, stocks and bonds suffering heavy declines since Wednesday.

Turkish Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan will meet with board members of Turkey's Banks Association on Sunday to discuss developments in the market, three banking sources with the knowledge of the matter said. The central bank declined to comment.

Meanwhile on the streets, thousands had gathered outside the Istanbul municipality building and the main courthouse on Saturday night, with hundreds of police stationed at both locations using tear gas and pepper spray pellets to disperse protesters, as the crowd hurled firecrackers and other objects at them.

Though most demonstrations have been peaceful, protesters also clashed with police in the western coastal province of Izmir and the capital Ankara for a third night in a row, with police firing water cannon at the crowds.

Turkish authorities have detained 323 people during protests over the investigation, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said early on Sunday.

World+Biz

Turkey / Ekrem Imamoglu

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • File photo of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Photo: Collected
    Asked for roadmap, govt didn’t give in 10 months, now 'December it is': Mirza Fakhrul
  • Leaders and activists of BNP gather at Nayapaltan ahead of the rally of three BNP affiliated organisations on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Start preparing to ensure election is held within December: Tarique issues instructions at youth rally
  • BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed. Sketch: TBS
    We wanted election roadmap from Yunus, not staged resignation: BNP's Salahuddin

MOST VIEWED

  • Google Pay. Photo: Collected
    Google Pay likely coming to Bangladesh soon
  • Graphics: TBS
    Suspicious banking activities surge by 56% since July: Cenbank
  • Representational image of cable car/Freepik
    Cable car to be installed from Himchari to Reju Khal in Marine Drive Road
  • Illustration: TBS
    Bangladesh sees highest-ever per capita income of $2,820 in FY25, BBS provisional data shows
  • IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
    IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
  • Abdul Awal Mintoo, chairman of National Bank Limited. Sketch: TBS
    'Regulatory support must for National Bank to restore depositors' confidence'

Related News

  • Erdogan tells Sharaa Turkey welcomes lifting of Syria sanctions
  • India cuts ties with Turkey amid growing boycott calls over Pakistan row
  • Istanbul peace talks lay bare chasm between Ukraine and Russia
  • Russia says Ukraine talks yielded a prisoner swap deal and an agreement to keep talking
  • An aide, a diplomat and a spy: Who is Putin sending to Turkey?

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

2d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

2d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

3d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

3d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

News of The Day, 26 MAY 2025

News of The Day, 26 MAY 2025

1h | TBS News of the day
Google Pay likely coming to Bangladesh soon

Google Pay likely coming to Bangladesh soon

2h | TBS Programs
Poor documentation, evidence plague stolen asset recovery efforts

Poor documentation, evidence plague stolen asset recovery efforts

3h | TBS Insight
Donald Trump warns Vladimir Putin he is 'playing with fire' over Ukraine

Donald Trump warns Vladimir Putin he is 'playing with fire' over Ukraine

4h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net