March 25, 2025
During a party event in Istanbul on Tuesday, Özgür Özel, leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), accused Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek and the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) of manufacturing evidence to arrest Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Özel claims this constitutes a politically motivated move by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to sideline opponents.
Özel criticized a MASAK report that led to İmamoğlu’s arrest on corruption charges, describing it as baseless and politically driven. He accused Şimşek of being complicit in the “coup” against political rivals and warned that such actions would damage Turkey’s international reputation.
The controversy arose after İmamoğlu was arrested following an annulled university diploma and allegations of financial crime involving his family’s construction company. Three additional companies have also been seized.
Legal experts have questioned the integrity and transparency of the MASAK report, with critics suggesting the government manipulates such documents to suppress opposition.
The tensions surrounding İmamoğlu’s arrest have sparked massive protests across Turkey, resulting in significant detentions and restrictions on social media platforms. Emphasizing the arrest’s political nature, the CHP announced İmamoğlu as its candidate for the 2028 presidential election shortly after his detention.
Critics draw parallels with past government crackdowns, warning that similar legal tools are being used to target the secular opposition, threatening the country’s rule of law and democratic processes.