site.btaIstanbul Mayor Addresses Erdogan's Party, Judiciary

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu sent a message via his X account, apparently addressed to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and called on members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to raise their voices against the "unjust arrests" of yesterday. 

"With these burdens, you aim for my whole existence, hard work, and endeavour that I and my family have built over three generations. You attack our honour and dignity and confiscate the future of my children. And you do all this with a handful of unqualified individuals. Everyone involved in this is complicit in corruption," said Imamoglu's message, which did not explicitly mention the president's name. 

„I also call upon members of the judiciary. To the tens of thousands of honourable and ethical prosecutors and judges of the Supreme Turkish Judiciary who serve with love for their nation. Silence is not an option, nor should it be,” added Imamoglu.

„Lastly, I address all politicians serving in the AK Party and its ruling coalition. These events transcend political affiliations and ideals. This has now become an issue concerning our nation, beginning with your own families. The time has come to speak out,” wrote Imamoglu.

Imamoglu's message came after he was detained by Turkish police on Wednesday morning on charges of "corruption, taking bribes and collaborating with terrorists." A number of high-ranking members of the opposition People's Republican Party (CHP) were also arrested in Istanbul yesterday, sparking protests and an international backlash. 

Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu is considered the most likely candidate of the CHP for the presidential race, although a formal decision on this is due on 23 March. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said his party would go ahead and select Imamoglu as its presidential candidate on Sunday, despite his detention.

The next presidential elections are scheduled for 2028 and Erdogan has reached his two-term limit as president, having previously been prime minister. If he wants to run again, he must call early elections or change the country's constitution.