The detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s strongest rival, in a massive police raid has caused great discomfort in the domestic public opinion in Turkey. Major trade unions and professional associations have reacted by issuing decisive statements.
İmamoğlu, a key opposition figure and potential presidential candidate, was arrested on Wednesday 19 March along with more than 100 people, including municipal officials and opposition politicians. The operation follows a controversial decision by Istanbul University to revoke his diploma, which has also been widely criticised as unlawful and politically motivated.
Although the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) and President Erdoğan have rejected allegations of judicial interference, Imamoğlu, who is seen as Erdoğan’s strongest rival, has faced numerous investigations since his last election.
In the morning, Imamoğlu and 105 people were detained in the same case, which many professional organisations described as an ‘anti-democratic’ practice and a ‘coup attempt’.
The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) said the incident showed the lack of constitutional rights and the erosion of the rule of law. “There can be no health in a country where democracy and the rule of law do not exist,” the association said, warning that the government was using institutions to suppress political rivals.
Demokrasi ve Hukukun Olmadığı, Anayasal Hakların Güvencesiz Bırakıldığı Bir Ülkede Sağlık Olmaz!
Hukuk, Demokrasi ve Adalet Tüm Kurumlarıyla İşler Hale Getirilmelidir!
İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediye Başkanı Ekrem İmamoğlu’nun dün İstanbul Üniversitesi Yönetim Kurulu kararıyla… pic.twitter.com/i7OtrwagS3
— Türk Tabipleri Birliği (@ttborgtr) March 19, 2025
The Confederation of Public Employees’ Trade Unions (KESK) accused the ruling party of using the judiciary to win back what it lost at the ballot box. “This is an open coup against the will of the people,” KESK said in a statement, vowing to step up resistance to what it called authoritarian rule.
Halk İradesini ve Demokrasiyi Savunmaya Devam Edeceğiz!
Siyasal iktidar, seçimle kazanamadığı yerel yönetimleri yargı eliyle cezalandırmaya devam ediyor!
Sandıkta kaybettiklerini, hukuk dışı yöntemlerle geri almaya çalışıyorlar. Bu antidemokratik uygulamalarla her seferinde… pic.twitter.com/yy3W89mmC1— KESK (@KESK1995) March 19, 2025
The Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) likened the developments to measures taken during military coups, saying court rulings were being used to eliminate opposition figures. “No one has the right to seize the democratic will of the people,” the TMMOB said.
https://tmmob.org.tr/icerik/halkin-demokratik-iradesine-ipotek-konulamaz-kurtulus-yok-tek-basina-ya-hep-beraber-ya-hic
The Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) condemned the operation, describing it as a desperate attempt by the ruling party to cling to power. “This is an attack not only on political rivals but on the fundamental rights of all citizens,” said DİSK President Arzu Çerkezoğlu.
ADALETE, DEMOKRASİYE VE ÜLKEMİZE
OMUZ OMUZA SAHİP ÇIKTIĞIMIZDA
“ZORBALAR KALMAZ GİDER!”DİSK Genel Başkanı Arzu Çerkezoğlu’nun DİSK Yönetim Kurulu adına yaptığı açıklama:
Türkiye’yi, demokrasiyi ve anayasal düzeni hedef alan sınır tanımaz bir kötülük karşısında halkın örgütlü…
— DİSK (@diskinsesi) March 19, 2025
Turkey’s bar associations have also voiced strong opposition. The Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) announced an emergency meeting of bar association presidents, citing concerns about the independence of the judiciary and human rights violations.
https://www.barobirlik.org.tr/Haberler/hukukun-ustunlugunu-yarginin-bagimsizligini-insan-hak-ve-ozgurluklerini-her-kosulda-savunacagiz-85506
Türkiye Barolar Birliği, yaşanan süreçleri değerlendirmek üzere 20 Mart 2025 Perşembe (yarın) günü, İstanbul’da “Olağanüstü Baro Başkanları Toplantısı” yapılmasına karar vermiştir.
👉 https://t.co/vkdGrDbdkz pic.twitter.com/DbJwlOTx0j
— Türkiye Barolar Birliği (@barolar) March 19, 2025
The Ankara Bar Association condemned the decision to revoke the diploma, calling it ‘null and void’ and warning that interfering with a politician’s academic record before an election was ‘open political intervention’. It stressed that legal institutions should not be used as instruments of political engineering.
*Yok Hükmündedir!*
İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediye Başkanı ve bir sonraki Cumhurbaşkanı Seçimlerinde aday olduğunu açıklayan Ekrem İmamoğlu’nun ve aynı dönem İstanbul Üniversitesine yatay geçiş yapan 37 kişinin daha yatay geçiş işlemlerinin iptal edildiği, İmamoğlu dâhil 28 kişinin… pic.twitter.com/6qIvkzwjLh
— Ankara Barosu (@ankarabarosu) March 18, 2025
The Diyarbakır Bar Association denounced the judicial actions as a direct violation of the constitutional right to vote and be elected. “Blocking elected officials by judicial means seriously damages the rule of law and democracy,” it said in a statement. It also warned that “the politicisation of the judiciary is a major threat to Turkey’s democratic future” and called for the immediate release of İmamoğlu and other detainees.
Seçme ve Seçilme Hakkı ile Hukuki Güvenlik ilkesini ihlal eden uygulamalardan vazgeçilmelidir. pic.twitter.com/nwM4IagMiS
— Diyarbakır Barosu (@Diyarbakirbaro) March 19, 2025
In Izmir, the local Bar Association organised a demonstration and called on citizens to protest against what it called a “coup against democracy”.
BASIN AÇIKLAMASI FAŞİZME GEÇİT VERMEYECEĞİZ!
Bugün Ekrem İmamoğlu ve diğer seçilmiş belediye başkanlarına yönelik gözaltı dalgası ile toplum esir alınmak istenmektedir! Bu karanlığı durdurmak için birlik olmalı, sesimizi yükseltmeliyiz!
Tüm meslektaşlarımızı ve… pic.twitter.com/fOw0CWpsbS
— İzmir Barosu – #SavunmaSusturulamaz (@izmir_barosu) March 19, 2025
