In the early hours of the morning, approximately 20 police officers raided the residence of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. İmamoğlu was taken into custody and transferred to the Istanbul Police Department. İmamoğlu’s university diploma was revoked last night, barring him from running for president. The story is currently breaking.
| BREAKING: Turkey’s opposition presidential candidate detained |
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| Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu |
According to the Demirören News Agency (DHA), arrest warrants were issued for 100 suspects as part of investigations into “cash-counting footage within the CHP” and the “urban consensus” probe. Among those detained were Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, İBB Deputy Secretary-General Mahir Polat, and Reform Institute President Mehmet Ali Çalışkan. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office also announced that journalist İsmail Saymaz was detained on charges of “aiding an attempt to overthrow the Turkish government.” In a statement, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office described İmamoğlu as a “criminal organization leader” and confirmed that arrest warrants had been issued for 100 individuals.
| BREAKING: Turkey’s opposition presidential candidate detained |
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Cash-Counting footage investigation
The “cash-counting footage” investigation stems from a video that surfaced in March 2024, showing individuals linked to the Republican People’s Party (CHP) counting large sums of cash in an office. The CHP claimed the money was intended for purchasing a party office building in Istanbul and denied any wrongdoing. Critics, however, alleged that the funds might have been used to buy delegate support within the party. The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office indicted 22 suspects, including former Istanbul CHP head Canan Kaftancıoğlu, accusing them of acquiring illegal donations. Prosecutors sought prison sentences of up to one year for those involved.
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“Urban Consensus” probe
The “urban consensus” investigation centers on allegations that CHP officials collaborated with the pro-Kurdish People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) to nominate joint candidates in major districts for the 2024 local elections. Prosecutors argue this strategy amounted to aiding the PKK, a designated terrorist organization in Turkey. An indictment prepared in March 2025 targeted ten individuals, including Kartal (Istanbul) Deputy Mayor Cemalettin Yüksel and Ataşehir Deputy Mayor Livan Gür, accusing them of “membership in an armed terrorist organization” and seeking prison sentences ranging from 7.5 to 15 years.
Istanbul locked down
Following İmamoğlu’s detention, the Istanbul Governor’s Office imposed a four-day ban on public gatherings, demonstrations, and press conferences in the city. Additionally, operations on several key metro and funicular lines were suspended until further notice.
Amid the operation against İmamoğlu, access to the popular social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has been restricted across Turkey.
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İmamoğlu’s diploma revoked
Separately, Istanbul University announced last night (March 18) that İmamoğlu’s university diploma had been revoked—effectively barring him from running for president.
In response, İmamoğlu posted a video on his X account as he was being taken into custody, in which he stated:
Medyascope'un günlük e-bülteni
Andaç'a abone olun
Editörlerimizin derlediği öngörüler, analizler, Türkiye’yi ve dünyayı şekillendiren haberler, Medyascope’un e-bülteni Andaç‘la her gün mail kutunuzda.
“A mindset that seeks to seize the will of our nation has deployed my dear police officers to the entrance of my home. We are facing a great act of oppression. I entrust myself to my people. I will continue to fight against that person and their mindset.”
