Turkish president Erdogan's main rival Ekrem Imamoglu formally arrested and jailed pending trial

23 March 2025, 07:24 | Updated: 23 March 2025, 15:11

The mayor of Istanbul and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main rival has been formally arrested and jailed pending trial over corruption charges.

Ekrem Imamoglu was originally detained on Wednesday - sparking widespread protests across Turkey which have since intensified.

Mr Imamoglu, a popular opposition figure with the Republican People's Party (CHP), was also detained over allegations of links to a terror organisation.

In a statement, prosecutors said: "The suspect Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested on charges of establishing and managing a criminal organisation, taking bribes, extortion, illegally recording personal data and rigging a tender."

The Turkish government's interior ministry has suspended Imamoglu as a "temporary measure", it announced on X.

For a fourth night, demonstrators clashed with police as the 54-year-old faced further questioning. He denies any wrongdoing.

Many view his detention as a political move to remove him from the 2028 presidential race - deepening concerns over Turkey's democracy and the rule of law.

However, government officials reject accusations any legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated and insist Turkey's courts operate independently.

Police questioned Mr Imamoglu on Saturday as part of a terror investigation into allegations of aiding the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

A day earlier he was questioned for four hours over the corruption accusations.

Around 90 other people were also questioned by prosecutors.

Dozens are prominent figures and include two district mayors.

Speaking after the court's decision, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said: "The only crime of Ekrem Imamoglu, who has been elected by 16 million Istanbulites three times, is to have defeated Recep Tayyip Erdogan and he has been arrested because he would win the next election."

Ankara's mayor, Mansur Yavas - also from the CHP - criticised the lack of confidentiality surrounding Mr Imamoglu's proceedings, telling reporters: "Honestly, we are embarrassed in the name of our legal system.

"We learned from television pundits about the allegations that even lawyers did not have access to, showing how politically motivated this whole ordeal has been."

Earlier on Saturday, Mr Erdogan said the government would not tolerate street protests and accused the opposition party of links to corruption and extremist organisations.

"The days of going out into the streets, taking left-wing organisations, extremists, and vandals with you... are now behind us," he said.

Saturday marked the fourth night of largely peaceful demonstrations. However, a group of protesters, trying to break through barricades to reach Istanbul's main square, threw flares, stones, and other objects at police who responded with pepper spray.

Police used water cannons and tear gas on demonstrators in the capital, Ankara.

Mr Imamoglu's arrest comes ahead of his expected nomination as the Republican People's Party's presidential candidate in a primary on Sunday.

The party's leader, Ozgur Ozel, said the primary, in which around 1.5 million delegates can vote, will go ahead as planned.

Mr Imamoglu was elected Istanbul's mayor in March 2019. This was a major blow to President Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party - which had controlled the city for 25 years.

The president's party subsequently challenged the municipal election results, alleging irregularities in the result.

A second election was called a few months later - which Mr Imamoglu also won.

If convicted, Mr Imamoglu may be ruled out of the running race for the next election, and Turkey's government could appoint a trustee in his place.

However, the CHP has said it would appeal against any rulings - and elect an acting mayor.

(c) Sky News 2025: Turkish president Erdogan's main rival Ekrem Imamoglu formally arrested and jailed pending trial