In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, the Istanbul Prosecutor General’s Office announced the seizure of the construction company co-owned by the city’s jailed mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
The move has sparked widespread outrage and massive protests across Istanbul, despite a ban on public gatherings, as supporters decry what they call a politically motivated attack.
Imamoglu, a prominent figure in Turkey’s main opposition party, the CHP, and a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was arrested earlier that day on charges including bribery and aiding a terrorist group. The timing of his arrest—just days before the CHP was expected to nominate him as its candidate for the 2028 presidential elections—has fueled accusations of a deliberate attempt to silence him. Late Wednesday, the Prosecutor’s Office revealed that Imamoglu Construction, Trade and Industry was seized following a criminal court order, based on investigations into alleged financial crimes.
The arrest followed a large-scale police raid on Imamoglu’s home, involving hundreds of officers, as he himself reported on X before being detained. Authorities briefly restricted access to social media platforms during the operation. Despite heavy police presence and an official ban on protests, thousands took to the streets, clashing with security forces near City Hall and the iconic Taksim Square.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel condemned the arrest as “an attempted coup” during a fiery speech at City Hall. “This isn’t just about stripping Ekrem Imamoglu of his right to run for office—it’s about robbing the nation of its right to choose him,” Ozel declared. Imamoglu’s wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, echoed this sentiment, calling the arrest “a targeted political operation to eliminate Turkey’s future president” and vowing to fight back against what she described as “a direct blow to the nation.”
The seizure of Imamoglu’s company and his arrest have plunged Turkey into political turmoil, with analysts warning of deepening divisions ahead of the 2028 elections. As protests rage on, the international Greek community watches closely, given the historical ties and proximity between Greece and Turkey.