Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu Urges Turks to Speak Out Against “Evil” in Prison Tweet

Istanbul, March 20, 2025 – Detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu made a powerful appeal on Thursday via X, calling on all Turks, including government politicians, to raise their voices against what he described as “evil” amid his imprisonment. Arrested on Wednesday on charges of corruption and terrorism, İmamoğlu’s message from prison underscores escalating political tensions in Turkey, as reported by Reuters and shared widely on social media.

In a series of tweets posted at 10:30 AM local time, İmamoğlu wrote, “You cannot, and must not, remain silent. These events transcend our parties; they now concern our nation. It’s time to raise your voices.” He urged Turkey’s judicial officials, including “tens of thousands of honorable and ethical prosecutors and judges,” to confront colleagues he accused of “ruining the Turkish judiciary and tarnishing our reputation worldwide.” Addressing members of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its ruling coalition, he added, “These events go beyond our parties and political principles. This process concerns our nation, especially your families. I call on everyone to raise their voices. Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation.”

İmamoğlu warned, “This mindset that seized my degree will attack your property, honor, and possessions. As a nation, we must stand against this evil.” His posts, which garnered thousands of retweets and comments on X, such as “A hero speaks from captivity” by @TurkeyOpposition, reflect his defiance amid legal and political challenges.

Background of İmamoğlu’s Arrest

İmamoğlu, a prominent critic of Erdoğan and leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was detained on Wednesday, facing allegations of corruption and links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), labeled a terrorist group by Turkey and Western allies, per BBC News. His arrest comes just days before his expected formal nomination as the CHP’s candidate for the 2028 presidential election, potentially derailing his challenge to Erdoğan, as noted by The Guardian.

On Tuesday, Istanbul University annulled İmamoğlu’s degree, creating another hurdle for his presidential candidacy, as Turkey’s constitution requires candidates to hold a higher education diploma, per Al Jazeera. The CHP, planning to rally supporters outside Istanbul City Hall on Thursday with leader Özgür Özel addressing the crowd, condemned the arrest as “a coup against democracy,” as told to AFP. University students also organized protests, but Istanbul’s governor banned gatherings until Sunday, and authorities restricted social media access, per Reuters.

Public Outrage and Protests

Despite subzero temperatures on Wednesday, thousands gathered outside City Hall, waving Turkish flags in solidarity with İmamoğlu, as captured in X videos by @IstanbulProtests. Posts on X, like @CHP_Turkey’s, reported police using tear gas to disperse crowds, while @ErdoğanSupporter defended the arrest as “upholding justice.” The protests highlight growing opposition to Erdoğan’s 22-year rule, amid economic struggles and democratic concerns, per a 2025 Freedom House report on Turkey’s declining rule of law.

Political and Legal Ramifications

İmamoğlu’s detention and the degree annulment are seen as moves to thwart his 2028 presidential bid, with legal experts on X, such as @TurkeyLawWatch, arguing the charges are politically motivated, given Turkey’s 108th global ranking in rule of law, per World Justice Project (2025). The corruption charges relate to a 2019 investigation into Istanbul municipal contracts, while terrorism allegations stem from alleged PKK ties, which İmamoğlu denies, as stated on X by @Ekrem_Imamoglu.

Erdoğan, constitutionally barred from running in 2028, could call early elections or amend the constitution, per Politico.eu. İmamoğlu’s arrest, timed strategically, risks escalating political unrest, with the CHP vowing to continue protests, per The New York Times.