The first footage of Ekrem İmamoğlu following his arrest has surfaced on social media. In the video, the Mayor of Istanbul is seen exiting the courthouse and greeting the crowd, appearing visibly uneasy while trying to maintain his composure.

It should be recalled that İmamoğlu was arrested yesterday by the Turkish state on charges of bribery and aiding a terrorist organization—charges that the main opposition party condemned as “an attempted coup against the next president.”

Gözaltındaki Ekrem İmamoğlu'ndan ilk görüntühttps://t.co/SINAXIWjlb pic.twitter.com/QIpyjgbstK

— T24 (@t24comtr) March 19, 2025

At the same time, the Turkish state seized his co-owned construction company, as announced by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.

In a statement issued late last night, the prosecutor’s office noted that control of İmamoğlu’s construction company had been transferred to the peace criminal court, based on financial crime investigation reports.

Overall, Turkish police have arrested 100 individuals, including other politicians, journalists, and business figures. İmamoğlu reacted online, declaring that “the will of the people cannot be silenced.”

Protests Erupt in Istanbul

In response, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Istanbul, metro stations, and public spaces. Footage from Reuters showed police using pepper spray to disperse crowds outside Istanbul University. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Erdogan, dictator!” and “İmamoğlu, you are not alone!” despite a government-imposed ban on public gatherings in Istanbul as part of a four-day restriction period. A fresh wave of protests is expected today, as the Mayor of Istanbul continues to receive global support from leaders and citizens.

Meanwhile, UK-based internet watchdog NetBlocks reported yesterday that Turkey has severely restricted access to social media platforms such as X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok amid the escalating backlash.

International Concerns Over Turkey’s Authoritarian Turn

For much of the international press, İmamoğlu’s arrest is seen as part of a broader nationwide crackdown in recent months targeting opposition politicians, municipalities, journalists, and figures from the entertainment industry. According to Reuters, “Following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, concerns about Turkey’s shift toward authoritarianism have been widely expressed on social media, with some calling for an opposition boycott of the upcoming presidential elections, arguing that a free and fair vote is no longer possible.”

İmamoğlu’s party, the CHP, condemned the arrests as “a coup against our next president,” while Erdogan and his ruling party have denied any involvement in the case, insisting that Turkey’s judiciary remains independent.

Interpreting İmamoğlu’s imprisonment as an expression of authoritarianism, former MP Suat Kınıklıoğlu stated, “He has crossed the Rubicon. There is no turning back from here for him,” referring to President Erdogan.

Economic Shock and Market Reactions

The financial markets reacted sharply to İmamoğlu’s arrest. The Turkish lira plunged to a record low against the dollar before closing at 3.3%, as concerns grew over Erdogan’s commitment to the rule of law and economic reforms led by Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek. Meanwhile, the benchmark BIST 100 index closed nearly 9% lower.

According to Capital Economics, İmamoğlu’s arrest raises concerns about “the broader reform agenda,” with analysts warning that “political rather than economic concerns may begin to dominate President Erdogan’s thinking.”