The Arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu and the Revocation of His Diploma: Implications for Turkish Democracy

Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of Istanbul and a prominent figure in Turkey's opposition to the ruling party, has been a symbol of democratic resilience since his initial election victory in 2019. His recent arrest on corruption charges and the revocation of his university diploma— which is a constitutional requirement for presidential candidates—have raised alarms both domestically and internationally. This is due to intensification of already existing concerns about the notion of democratic choice in Turkey. 

These developments are seen by many as strategic moves to eliminate a significant challenger to the current President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the upcoming elections in 2028. This is due to the fact that these actions, perceived by many as politically motivated, not only hinder İmamoğlu's potential candidacy in upcoming elections but also reflect a broader pattern of suppressing opposition voices. This article examines the events surrounding İmamoğlu's arrest, the historical context of political repression in Turkey, the domestic and international reactions, and the potential ramifications for the country's democratic institutions.

Historical Context of Political Repression

Turkey has witnessed a series of actions aimed at consolidating power and suppressing dissent, especially following the failed coup attempt in 2016 when a faction of the Turkish military launched a coordinated attempt to topple President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government. The Turkish government attributed the planning of the coup to Fethullah Gülen and they call Gulen’s network the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO). The government's response included mass arrests of journalists, academics, and political opponents, under the guise of anti-terrorism measures and claims that they had ties to the alleged planner of the coup. Many critics have accused Erdogan of using the incident to stamp out the opposition. The pattern of removing elected officials and replacing them with government appointees has further eroded trust in democratic processes.

The Case of Ekrem İmamoğlu 

İmamoğlu's arrest on March 19, 2025, came shortly after Istanbul University annulled his diploma, citing irregularities in credit transfers from when he transferred from a private university in Northern Cyprus in 1990. This effectively disqualifies him from running for the presidency, as a university degree is a constitutional requirement for candidates. Observers, including İmamoğlu himself, have labeled these moves as politically driven attempts to sideline a formidable opponent. The timing—mere days before the Republican People's Party (CHP) was set to nominate its presidential candidate who the public expected to be İmamoğlu—adds weight to these allegations. 

The recent arrest and diploma annulment of İmamoğlu cannot be viewed in isolation—it follows a series of politically charged legal actions that appear to be aimed at weakening his political presence. One of the most prominent earlier cases was the 2022 conviction for "insulting public officials," where İmamoğlu was sentenced to over two years in prison and barred from politics for the future, which is still a point to consider since it had not been finalized and was in the process of appeal when he got arrested in 2025. The reasoning provided for the 2022 arrest was that he was sarcastically criticizing the Supreme Election Council's decision to annul the 2019 mayoral election and re-do it, which İmamoğlu had won. This ruling, widely criticized by international observers, raised alarm bells regarding judicial independence in Turkey. Additionally, İmamoğlu has faced multiple investigations and administrative audits into the hiring practices of Istanbul Municipality under his leadership -which he won again with the repeated election. Especially concerning allegations were made that employees he hired had ties to terrorist organizations—claims his office denies and regards as part of a broader smear campaign. These legal maneuvers have contributed to a general narrative suggesting systematic attempts by the ruling party AKP to eliminate viable opposition through legal harassment and bureaucratic overreach.

Domestic Response

The arrest sparked widespread protests across Turkey, with thousands taking to the streets in major cities. Authorities responded by banning demonstrations for four days and restricting access to social media platforms like X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok to keep the news contained within the country and obstructing exchanges that could cause the public to get even more heated. Despite these measures, the protests became the largest in over a decade, leading to the detention of more than 2,000 individuals, including a significant number of students and journalists. Trials for many of the detained have commenced, which is drawing criticism from human rights organizations concerned about the suppression of peaceful dissent.

International Reaction

Along with the citizens of Turkey, the international community has also expressed strong condemnation of İmamoğlu's arrest and the revocation of his diploma. The Council of Europe and the European Green Party have called for his immediate release, highlighting pressing concerns about the erosion of judicial independence and democratic norms in Turkey. Germany's decision to block a proposed sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey underscores the tangible diplomatic repercussions of these actions. European mayors and international organizations have also voiced solidarity with İmamoğlu, urging Turkey to uphold democratic principles.

Implications for Turkish Democracy

The targeting of İmamoğlu represents a significant escalation in the suppression of opposition voices in Turkey. By undermining the candidacy of a popular political figure through legal and administrative means and not political ones, the government risks eroding public trust in democratic institutions. The international backlash indicates potential challenges for Turkey's foreign relations, particularly with European nations concerned about democratic standards. Domestically, these events may galvanize opposition forces and civil society, leading to increased political mobilization ahead of the elections.

Conclusion

The arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu and the annulment of his academic credentials mark a critical moment for Turkey's democratic trajectory. These actions not only hinder a prominent opposition figure but also reflect a broader strategy of consolidating power by marginalizing dissent. The domestic unrest and international condemnation that have followed underscore the risks associated with such authoritarian measures. As Turkey approaches its next electoral cycle, the resilience of its democratic institutions and the commitment of its citizens to democratic principles will be put to the test.