Following a Turkish court order, X has blocked access to İstanbul’s suspended mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s Turkish-language account, citing a legal demand. This action, unprecedented for a high-profile elected official, comes amidst widespread protests following İmamoğlu’s arrest on corruption charges—charges the CHP alleges are politically motivated. The blocking follows a pattern of similar restrictions on activists and journalists’ accounts, although X previously stated its intent to challenge such orders legally. İmamoğlu’s English account remains accessible, and he continues to communicate via his lawyers.
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On March 29th, hundreds of thousands protested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s arrest, marking Turkey’s largest demonstrations in over a decade. The CHP-organized rally, held on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, follows a government crackdown including arrests of over 2,000 protesters and 13 journalists, as well as the deportation of a BBC correspondent and the jailing of a Swedish reporter. Imamoglu, the CHP’s 2028 presidential candidate, was jailed amidst accusations of corruption. Opposition leader Özgür Özel vowed to continue weekly protests nationwide.
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Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a leading opponent of President Erdoğan, reported the unjust arrest of his lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, on fabricated charges. This follows İmamoğlu’s own earlier arrest, highlighting a perceived escalation of attacks against political rivals. He decried the ongoing campaign of lies and slander, characterizing it as an attempt to stifle dissent and consolidate power. The mayor called for his lawyer’s immediate release, framing the actions as a “legal coup” supplementing the previous “coup against democracy.”
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Anti-Erdogan protests in Turkey, sparked by the politically motivated arrest and disqualification of mayoral rival Ekrem Imamoglu, saw unexpected participation from a Pikachu-costumed protester who became a viral symbol of resistance. The demonstration, which resulted in approximately 1900 arrests and several journalist detentions, also featured other costumed figures. Police used water cannons and riot gear to disperse the crowds, with even some officers reportedly posing for pictures with the Pikachu protestor. The protests highlight growing dissent against President Erdoğan’s actions.
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Ekrem Imamoglu’s arrest, four days before his expected presidential candidacy announcement, represents a significant escalation in the power struggle between him and President Erdogan. Imamoglu’s popularity, stemming from his inclusive leadership and success in Istanbul’s mayoral elections, poses a serious challenge to Erdogan’s long-held authority. This arrest, following a pattern of government crackdowns on opposition figures, has galvanized opposition and heightened tensions in a country already facing economic hardship. The situation is viewed by many as a potential turning point in Turkish politics, with the potential for widespread unrest. Imamoglu’s arrest could be the catalyst for the long-anticipated explosion of discontent.
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Following Ekrem İmamoğlu’s imprisonment, widespread protests erupted across Turkey, defying government-imposed bans and met with forceful police response. International condemnation, including from France, followed the arrest, which is viewed as a politically motivated attack on democracy. The arrests are seen as a response to the opposition’s recent electoral successes, particularly İmamoğlu’s party’s unexpected wins in the 2024 municipal elections. President Erdoğan characterized the demonstrations as “street terror” and vowed to suppress further opposition.
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Ekrem Imamoglu’s imprisonment is undeniably a politically motivated act, clear to opposition voters and likely even some within the AKP. His twice-elected mayoralty of Istanbul, a city with over 16 million voters, speaks volumes about his popularity. The first election, won by Imamoglu, was contested and annulled, only for him to win again by an even larger margin. This second victory further cemented his status as perhaps the most popular opposition politician in recent Turkish history.
The timing of his arrest is highly suspicious, coinciding with the main opposition party CHP’s announcement of a primary process intended to formally designate Imamoglu as their presidential candidate for 2028.… Continue reading
Istanbul University annulled Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s diploma, citing irregularities in his 1990 university transfer, effectively barring him from the next presidential election. This decision, widely seen as politically motivated to hinder President Erdogan’s main rival, sparked outrage from the opposition CHP, who denounced it as a blow to democracy. Imamoglu plans to appeal, while Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas suspended his own candidacy in solidarity. The move is part of a broader crackdown on dissent within Turkey, fueling concerns about the fairness of upcoming elections.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood