Over 40 individuals detained during recent police operations in Istanbul
In a series of politically charged events, Turkish authorities have been targeting members of the main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), particularly those linked to Istanbul and other CHP-run municipalities. This intensified following the detention and arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the imprisoned Istanbul mayor and a key opposition figure and presidential candidate for the 2028 election, in March 2025.
Since then, over 500 people associated with Imamoglu's administration and the CHP have been detained or arrested on corruption and terrorism-related charges, widely viewed as politically motivated. The crackdown has severely strained democratic norms and rule of law in Turkey, drawing criticism from international human rights groups and European lawmakers, who warn of erosion of democratic institutions and freedoms.
The timeline of events began on March 19, 2025, when Imamoglu was detained and later arrested on corruption charges. His arrest sparked the largest protests in Turkey in over a decade, with significant public outcry against perceived democratic backsliding under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In the following months, at least 14 CHP mayors, including district mayors like Inan Guney of Beyoğlu, were detained amid investigations into alleged corruption and bribery within CHP-run municipalities. These legal actions are interpreted by opposition and international observers as efforts to weaken political rivals ahead of elections.
Police raids across Istanbul and other cities have detained dozens, including opposition officials and even family members of detainees. For instance, on August 12, 30 people were detained in raids targeting opposition-led cities, including Istanbul. August 15 raids detained around 40 Istanbul officials linked to CHP municipalities on charges of corruption.
The corruption probe alleges widespread bribery, tender rigging, and forced purchases at inflated prices affiliated with opposition-run districts. Key informants under house arrest provided testimony leading to further arrests and raids, though house arrest orders were later lifted on some informants following cooperation with prosecutors.
The CHP has condemned the detentions as politically motivated attempts to silence dissent. The daily "Cumhuriyet" reported these developments, highlighting the growing concern over the erosion of democratic norms in Turkey. Among those detained was another district mayor of the CHP, Burhanettin Bulut, who wrote a statement on the X platform condemning the actions as a threat to democracy.
Imamoglu's arrest and the subsequent detentions have galvanized protests nationwide, evidenced by large rallies organized by the CHP, including a notable March 29 mass rally drawing hundreds of thousands in Istanbul. These protests have highlighted public opposition to Erdogan’s approach, although the government dismisses them as provocation.
Istanbul's Marmara Prison in Silivri has become emblematic of the heightened political tensions, housing many detained opposition figures, which further fuels public perceptions of political repression. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these events will shape the political landscape of Turkey in the coming years.
- The ongoing detentions and arrests of over 500 people, mainly linked to Ekrem Imamoglu's administration and the Republican People's Party (CHP), have raised concerns about war-and-conflicts within Turkish politics, as these actions are widely viewed as politically motivated.
- The timeline of events, starting with the detention of Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19, 2025, and continuing with the detention of numerous CHP mayors and officials, has significantly impacted general-news headlines and crime-and-justice reports, as international human rights groups and European lawmakers express growing concern about the erosion of democratic institutions and freedoms in Turkey.
