Thousands of supporters of the suspended Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoğlu, gathered at the city's Sarachane Square on Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of his detention. They were protesting against his arrest and detention over charges including espionage and corruption in March 2025.
Supporters of Imamoğlu also gathered at the Marmara High-Security Prison in the Silivri district of Istanbul, where he has been held after he was officially relieved of his duties on March 23, 2025.
The trial of Imamoğlu and about 400 people is underway as prosecutors seek a jail term of more than 2,000 years over 140 alleged charges, including corruption and running a criminal organisation.
Protesters at the Silivri prison on Wednesday told the press that "he is our future presidential candidate,". Another man stated, "I am here for my own future and for democracy."
A delegation of European mayors also travelled to Istanbul in solidarity with Imamoğlu.
Eiril Lae Solberg, the governing mayor of Oslo, told the Dutch news agency DW that "he is clearly jailed because the government in Türkiye sees him as a dangerous challenger."
"He had a very good chance of winning the elections; therefore, they imprisoned him." he added.
The president of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, insists the judiciary is independent and said the investigations into Imamoğlu are routine.
According to Erdoğan, "the investigation in Istanbul concerns a criminal organisation unprecedented in the history of the republic. Its action threatens national security by revealing organised corruption and extortion."
This message from Erdoğan resonates with his supporters, and they asked that the judiciary be allowed to make the decision.
One potential obstacle to Imamoğlu running in the next presidential election is an announcement from Istanbul University announcing it had revoked Imamoğlu's degree due to alleged irregularities.
Imamoğlu's lawyers said they would appeal the decision since the Turkish law states presidents must have completed higher education to hold office.
Ekrem Imamoğlu, born in 1970, became actively involved in politics in 2008 when he joined the Republican People's Party (CHP).
He was elected Mayor of Beylikdüzü, west of Istanbul, in 2014, garnering 50.8% of the vote.
He was elected into office as the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality on 31 March and again on 23 June, 2019.
He got married in 1995, and has three children.
He is a self-proclaimed ardent lover of sports and has served as the manager of managers at Trabzonspor Football Club, Trabzonspor Basketball Club, and Beylikdüzüspor Club.
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