Legal and political experts in Türkiye widely view the actions taken against İmamoğlu as politically motivated, with the ultimate objective of obstructing his candidacy against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the upcoming presidential elections. İmamoğlu was detained just days before his expected nomination as the Republican People’s Party (CHP) presidential candidate on 23 March.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that İmamoğlu and others were detained in connection with two ongoing criminal investigations. On 18 March, İstanbul University revoked İmamoğlu’s university diploma, further intensifying concerns about politically driven efforts to discredit and sideline him from the electoral process. Turkish presidential candidates are required to have a university degree. Additionally, there are other criminal investigations against him.
In recent years, Türkiye has increasingly removed democratically elected mayors from office and replaced them with government-appointed trustees, often citing terrorism-related charges as justification. This pattern of dismissals and trustee appointments has primarily targeted opposition-held municipalities, raising profound concerns about the erosion of local democracy, political pluralism, and the right to political participation.
The measures implemented following the detentions have sparked serious human rights concerns. The Istanbul Governor has enforced a four-day ban on public gatherings and demonstrations, while reports indicate restrictions on social media platforms such as X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated on social media that in the aftermath of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s detention, actions were taken against certain social media accounts, leading to the detention of 37 individuals. Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) addressed media outlets and stated that RTÜK experts are closely monitoring broadcasts and media organizations violating regulations will face the highest level of sanctions.
These actions violate the fundamental rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and access to information. They also pose a significant barrier to peaceful dissent which is a fundamental cornerstone of any democratic society.
When viewed alongside the broader deterioration of Türkiye’s human rights record—including the arrests of journalists, increasing restrictions on freedom of expression, and discriminatory measures targeting the LGBTQI+ community—they mark a deeply troubling escalation in the country’s democratic backsliding.
Turkish authorities must fully uphold Türkiye’s human rights obligations by ensuring the protection of fundamental freedoms, including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, access to information, and a fair trial. Any legal proceedings must be conducted transparently, impartially, and without political interference to maintain public trust in democratic institutions.
Furthermore, the international community, along with global human rights monitoring and compliance mechanisms, should actively engage in monitoring and supporting democratic processes in Türkiye. Continuous and robust international scrutiny is essential to safeguarding human rights, reinforcing the rule of law, and preventing further erosion of democratic principles.
Türkiye is a member of the Council of Europe and is legally obliged to execute judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. The Court found in Demirtaş v. Turkey that “the applicant’s detention, especially during two crucial campaigns relating to the referendum and the presidential election, pursued the ulterior purpose of stifling pluralism and limiting freedom of political debate, which is at the very core of the concept of a democratic society”. So far, Turkish authorities failed to execute this judgment. With these new developments, the Council of Europe and its member states must increase engagement with Türkiye to adhere to its obligations and release wrongfully detained politicians, journalists, and civil society activists.