The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has justified the arrest of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu by citing allegations of terrorist affiliation and financial misconduct, according to newly released judicial documents. The move has been widely condemned by opposition figures and European officials, who argue the charges are politically motivated.
The documents accuse İmamoğlu’s administration of fostering ‘urban consensus’, a political strategy where the pro-Kurdish DEM Party and the main opposition CHP fielded joint candidates in major cities. According to prosecutors, this model was allegedly influenced by leaders of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), including Cemil Bayık and Mustafa Karasu, who reportedly issued pre-election directives.
The indictment claims that elements of the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), a large and influential political platform accused of having ties to the PKK, played a role in İmamoğlu’s electoral victory and that municipal appointments included individuals allegedly linked to the organisation.
Additionally, the documents cite the arrest of İstanbul’s Esenyurt opposition mayor five months ago on similar allegations and argue that İmamoğlu’s governance structure followed the same pattern of ‘infiltration by terrorist-affiliated figures’.
A second set of charges focuses on financial misconduct, particularly relating to the İstanbul Municipality’s handling of public funds, tenders, and media operations. Prosecutors claim İmamoğlu and his associates established a network of companies within municipal subsidiaries that allegedly facilitated:
– Bribery and mismanagement of public tenders
– Illegal data collection from Istanbul residents
– Embezzlement through advertising contracts and media outlets
– Money laundering via third-party entities
The prosecution references a controversial video that surfaced online, allegedly showing CHP officials engaging in cash transactions. This footage, along with whistleblower testimony, reportedly triggered a formal investigation into the financial dealings of İmamoğlu and his circle.
As a result of the charges, Turkish authorities ordered mass dawn arrests on 19 March, targeting İmamoğlu and individuals accused of involvement in financial fraud, bribery, and links to criminal organisations. A total of 106 people, including İmamoğlu, were taken into custody at 6:15 am in a coordinated operation.
The arrests have sparked fierce backlash from opposition parties, human rights groups, and international observers. Critics argue that the charges mirror previous cases where the government used the judiciary to sideline political rivals, particularly in the run-up to elections.
“These allegations are not about justice; they are about eliminating political opponents,” a senior CHP official stated.
Nacho Sánchez Amor, the European Parliament’s rapporteur on EU-Turkey relations, reacted strongly to the developments, warning that Turkey is moving “at full speed towards a complete authoritarian state”. The European Commission is expected to address the situation in the coming days, as Turkey’s political crisis deepens.
