Blocked access to social networks, clashes between police and opposition figures in Istanbul and a new trial against Erdogan's strongest rival: in Turkey, the repression of the opposition continues in full force.
For about a year, the Republican People's Party (CHP), the largest opposition force in Turkey, has been in the crosshairs of Turkish justice. The latest episode unfolded these days: after a Turkish court dismissed the district leadership of the People's Democratic Party (HDP) in Istanbul over alleged irregularities in its election and after the court appointed a new interim chairman of the party's local branch, clashes broke out on Monday, September 8, between police and protesting opposition members.
The security forces dispersed dozens of party functionaries in front of the party's headquarters, who were protesting despite a temporary ban on public gatherings and a police blockade of the building. They wanted to prevent the court-appointed new chairman from taking control of the party's branch in Turkey's largest city. Yesterday, reports came from Turkey that access to the main social media platforms YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook had been blocked - following calls by the Turkish opposition for mass protests and rallies against the country's authorities.
Yesterday's police operation in Istanbul took place amid an intensified crackdown on the opposition, including against municipalities run by the Republican People's Party (CHP) over alleged corruption. As a result, hundreds of officials and party officials, including 16 mayors, have been arrested in recent months, the Associated Press reports. Among them is the former mayor of Istanbul and the opposition's most promising presidential candidate, Ekrem Imamoglu. His arrest in March sparked the largest protests in Turkey in more than a decade.
The 54-year-old rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing various trials and investigations - from alleged insults to civil servants to corruption. On September 11, he will stand trial for forging documents - specifically his university diploma. Although the charge may seem trivial at first glance, a conviction could have far-reaching consequences.
Why is this trial so important?
Shortly before his arrest, Istanbul University revoked his diploma. If convicted on this charge, Imamoglu could face up to eight years and nine months in prison. The most serious consequence, however, would be that he would have to withdraw his candidacy for president, since the Turkish constitution requires a university degree to be a prerequisite for holding the office of head of state.
Imamoglu and his HDP party have described the university administration's decision and the indictment as politically motivated. The course of the case so far supports this suspicion, as the debate over İmamoğlu's diplomatic credentials began shortly after his successful election as mayor of Istanbul in 2019.
After İmamoğlu entered the mayorship, it became clear that President Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) had used the city as a source of funding for its ideological goals. For years, funds had been flowing into media companies close to the government, Islamist organizations and brotherhoods.
Critics see İmamoğlu's trial as an act of revenge by the government. For years, İmamoğlu's party has questioned İrdoğan's diplomatic credentials. According to his biography, İrdoğan graduated from "Marmara" University in 1981, but the university was not officially founded until 1982.
More trials and investigations
Since taking office as mayor, the popular politician İmamoğlu has been constantly in the spotlight of the Turkish judiciary, which has been increasingly seen as politicized in recent years. Several investigations and court cases are underway against him, some of which have already ended with a verdict.
Officially, Imamoglu is accused of corruption in connection with tender procedures at the Istanbul mayor's office. Another charge against him is that of supporting terrorism - due to his party's cooperation with the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party in the last local elections. The two opposition parties agreed on joint candidates in some municipalities in Istanbul with a large Kurdish population and defeated the ruling party's candidates. Although the Turkish government is leading a peace process with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the Kurdish conflict, even the slightest connection with the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party is interpreted by the judiciary as "supporting terrorism".
In another case, the prosecutor's office is investigating the charge of misusing public funds at cultural events. Imamoglu is not the only one against whom this charge has been brought - the AKP government has also accused other opposition mayors of wasting public funds at festivals and concerts. Critics, however, point out that the ruling party itself organizes large events in many cities without being investigated for this.
Who is Ekrem İmamoğlu?
İmamoğlu's landslide victory in the Istanbul mayoral election ended the AKP's 25-year rule in the Bosphorus metropolis. After taking office, the new mayor stopped payments of 55 million euros to foundations close to the AKP and eliminated municipal payments to media outlets close to the government. In response, the government blocked his projects and did not approve loans to the municipal administration for its initiatives.
In the 2024 local elections, İmamoğlu ran again as the opposition candidate in Istanbul and managed to win again. He is eloquent, considers himself close to the people and appeals to different social groups. His rhetoric is constructive: he does not want to divide, but to unite everyone. With his slogan "Everything will be fine" he mobilized millions. Thanks to his popularity, he was able to push his party towards reforms.
With the current party leadership from the reformist wing, he has taken a successful course. However, it is also under investigation and could be removed from office. The next court hearing in this case is on September 15. If the current board of the Republican People's Party is removed and forced chairmen are put in charge, Imamoglu could sink into oblivion.