Turkish authorities arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu—one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s key political rivals—on Wednesday as part of ongoing corruption and terrorism investigations.

According to state-run Anadolu Agency, arrest warrants were also issued for around 100 individuals linked to Imamoglu, including his press adviser, Murat Ongun.

The arrest comes just days before the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) was set to hold its primary election, where Imamoglu was widely expected to secure the party’s presidential nomination.

CHP leader Ozgur Ozel condemned the arrest, calling it “an attempt to overthrow our future president.”

Footage from CNN Turk showed riot police and dozens of security vehicles stationed outside Imamoglu’s residence.

Expressing his dismay in a video posted on X, Imamoglu stated, “A small group attempting to suppress the people’s will has misused the security forces, sending hundreds of police officers to my doorstep—the home of Istanbul’s 16 million residents.”

Critics have slammed the arrests as politically driven, seeing them as part of a broader government crackdown on opposition figures after Erdogan’s significant losses in local elections last year.

Ozel further accused the government of undermining democracy, stating on X, “Making decisions on behalf of the people through force, or obstructing their will, is nothing short of a coup.”

Following Imamoglu’s detention, Istanbul’s governor imposed a citywide ban on demonstrations until March 23 to “maintain public order.” Authorities also announced the temporary closure of several metro stations and roads in central Istanbul.

Meanwhile, internet watchdog NetBlocks reported restricted access to X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok across Turkey.

The Turkish lira plunged over 10%, hitting a record low of 40 against the dollar, as investor confidence took a hit following Imamoglu’s arrest. The turmoil also triggered a sharp selloff in the stock market, with the BIST 100 index dropping 6.7% early Wednesday, prompting a temporary trading halt.

‘A Baseless Accusation’

Imamoglu and approximately 100 associates are facing charges of involvement in a criminal organization, bribery, extortion, and aggravated fraud, according to a statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office cited by Anadolu Agency.

Additionally, Imamoglu is under investigation for allegedly supporting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK)—groups designated as terrorist organizations by Turkey.

His wife, Dilek Imamoglu, dismissed the allegations as absurd. “One can only laugh at such claims,” she told Reuters, calling them “a complete fabrication.”

The arrest of Istanbul’s mayor—who governs Turkey’s largest and most politically significant city—comes just a day after Istanbul University revoked Imamoglu’s degree, citing “irregularities.” This decision, which could disqualify him from running for president, is seen as another major setback for the opposition.

Imamoglu denounced the university’s ruling as unlawful and vowed to challenge it in court. “The decision by Istanbul University’s Board of Directors is ILLEGAL,” he declared. “Those responsible for this injustice will soon be held accountable before history and the law.”

Imamoglu first won Istanbul’s mayoral election in 2019 and was re-elected in 2024. While the next presidential election is scheduled for 2028, some analysts speculate that Erdogan may call an early vote to circumvent term limits.