What happened since İmamoğlu’s detention?

Here are the key developments following the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19, 2025:

1. Protests Across Turkey:

   • Demonstrations erupted in Istanbul and other major cities like Izmir and Ankara, despite a four-day ban on public gatherings imposed by the Istanbul Governor’s Office23.

   • Protesters chanted anti-government slogans and demanded İmamoğlu’s release, reflecting widespread public discontent23.

2. Social Media Restrictions:

   • Access to social media platforms such as X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok was significantly restricted across Turkey, limiting communication and news dissemination23.

3. Financial Market Impact:

   • The Turkish lira plummeted by over 10% against the US dollar, reaching historic lows, while the BIST 100 index declined nearly 7% before trading was temporarily halted3.

4. International Condemnation:

   • France and Germany condemned İmamoğlu’s detention, highlighting concerns about democracy erosion in Turkey3.

   • The European Parliament’s Socialists and Democrats Group leader, Iratxe Garcia Perez, called for a debate on the situation5.

5. Additional Detentions:

   • Turkish authorities arrested 37 more individuals linked to online posts deemed as inciting public hatred or criminal activity6.

   • A total of 87 people were in custody as part of the investigations targeting İmamoğlu and other municipal officials7.

6. Government Response:

   • President Erdogan defended the detention, dismissing accusations of political interference in the judiciary4.

   • Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya condemned calls for street protests, labeling them irresponsible7.

7. Diploma Revocation:

   • Istanbul University revoked İmamoğlu’s diploma, potentially disqualifying him from running for president due to the requirement for a university degree8.

8. Continued Protests:

   • Protests continued into the weekend, with opposition leaders urging peaceful demonstrations6.