Istanbul’s imprisoned mayor and main opposition (CHP) presidential candidate, Ekrem İmamoğlu, has been in prison since March 19. The mayor was convicted earlier this month of “threatening and insulting” Istanbul’s chief prosecutor, with several additional cases still pending. İmamoğlu gave an exclusive interview to Medyascope Editor-in-Chief Ruşen Çakır via letter.
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| Jailed presidential candidate İmamoğlu: “We won’t play along” – Exclusive |
In a surprising departure from his party’s historical stance, Devlet Bahçeli, leader of Turkey’s ultranationalist MHP, launched a “Kurdish peace process” earlier this year. He did so in coordination with leaders of the pro-Kurdish DEM Party—a group that has long been the MHP’s staunch political adversary. Unlike past initiatives, this effort has seen unprecedented success, culminating in the formal dissolution of the PKK—a group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU—and delivering a major political win for the ruling coalition. The process has attracted bipartisan support and aims to end decades of armed conflict. Çakır asked İmamoğlu for his take:
- You’ve been closely observing the government’s ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ initiative. What’s your perspective? Would you say you support it?
İmamoğlu: From the start, both my party and I supported what the government now calls “Terror-Free Turkey.” As a matter of principle, we believe terrorism must be ended through democratic politics—not violence. This aligns with our values and our belief in principled leadership.
But our support hasn’t been passive. We made two key recommendations: First, conduct the process transparently and through Parliament—not behind closed doors. Second, while laying down arms, restore democracy. Using the judiciary to harass opposition figures while negotiating with others behind the scenes is unacceptable. That’s why our party proposed a parliamentary commission called “Terror-Free and Democratic Turkey.”
Despite our efforts, the government ignored our proposals, continued its secretive approach, and escalated legal harassment against our mayors and party officials.
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| Jailed presidential candidate İmamoğlu: “We won’t play along” | Exclusive |
“We will never allow this authoritarian system to become permanent.”
Here’s what we’ve concluded: the government’s true goal is to exploit the peace process to pressure the DEM Party and Kurdish voters—saying, “Look what we’re doing for you”—while postponing real reforms until after the 2028 elections. It’s a strategy to divide and weaken the opposition.
Let me be clear: We won’t play along. We will never allow this authoritarian system to become permanent. And to my fellow citizens: rest assured—we will rid Turkey of both terrorism and this regime. We’ll resolve the Kurdish issue, and we’ll build a prosperous nation.
- How would you characterize MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s role in the process?
İmamoğlu: Mr. Bahçeli took a significant step toward ending decades of violence. He has since supported policies aimed at peace and resolution. His approach—rooted in state responsibility rather than electoral calculation—has been valuable, even if imperfect.
But while his intentions seem sincere, others in the ruling coalition have stalled progress. Their silence and delay tactics created public uncertainty. Their half-hearted, trial-and-error strategy has not served the nation.
To make matters worse, at this critical moment, they launched a judicial offensive against the opposition’s presidential candidate and elected officials. We see this as a direct blow to both democracy and the peace process.
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- What is your view on the DEM Party’s role?
İmamoğlu: I believe DEM officials support a transparent and parliamentary process, strengthened by democratic reforms. But they’ve been unable to persuade the government.
It seems the government intends to drag this process out as an electoral bargaining chip. I believe DEM leaders recognize this—and I trust their voters will, too.
Since his election as Istanbul mayor in 2019, İmamoğlu has faced mounting legal pressure, including corruption investigations, allegations of aiding the PKK, and charges related to public tenders and electoral comments—claims he and his party have dismissed as politically motivated.
On March 18, 2025, just days before the CHP was expected to officially nominate him for the presidency, Istanbul University revoked İmamoğlu’s university diploma, citing irregularities. If upheld, the decision would disqualify him from running for office, as a degree is required under Turkish election law.
The next day, İmamoğlu was arrested during a large-scale operation that also detained over 100 CHP-affiliated mayors, staff, journalists, and business figures. He was charged with corruption, extortion, money laundering, and alleged links to terrorism, particularly concerning an informal alliance with the DEM Party. He was transferred to Silivri Prison, where he remains. Despite these developments, İmamoğlu has not withdrawn his 2028 presidential candidacy.
- As your campaign begins, what kind of campaign are you planning to lead?
İmamoğlu: This isn’t just a campaign for one candidate—it’s a struggle for Turkey’s future. That’s how we’ve built our entire approach. The judicial blow disrupted our plans, but it only strengthened our resolve.
Medyascope'u destekle. Medyascope'a abone ol.
Medyascope’u senin desteğin ayakta tutuyor. Hiçbir patronun, siyasi çıkarın güdümünde değiliz; hangi haberi yapacağımıza biz karar veriyoruz. Tıklanma uğruna değil, kamu yararına çalışıyoruz. Bağımsız gazeteciliğin sürmesi, sitenin açık kalması ve herkesin doğru bilgiye erişebilmesi senin desteğinle mümkün.
Young people will lead this movement. We’re also establishing strong ties with Turkish professionals and volunteers abroad. Even if they try to silence us, they won’t stop our determination to work and build.
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On July 16, İmamoğlu was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for remarks he made in January criticizing Chief Prosecutor Akın Gürlek at a panel on judicial politicization. Prosecutors argued his comments constituted threats and insults; İmamoğlu says they were a critique of democratic erosion. This is one of six ongoing cases against him, including charges related to corruption, a contested university diploma, and remarks about the 2019 election. His supporters see the legal pressure as a coordinated effort to derail his presidential run.
- What is your view on the legal process? Has the judiciary acted impartially?
İmamoğlu: We believe in the rule of law and justice. But today in Turkey—especially in political cases—it’s difficult to speak of a judiciary that’s independent. Politics gives the orders, and unfortunately, the judiciary carries them out like bureaucrats. The most troubling part is how normal this has become.
At the end of one interrogation, the prosecutor stood and said:
“Mr. Mayor, don’t take it personally. Tomorrow, if you become president, you’ll sit on this side of the table—and then you can judge us.”
I was stunned. What kind of prosecutor says something like that? I replied:
“Do you really think I want to be president just to judge people like you? We’re fighting for justice. This is disgraceful.”
How did this mentality take root? Who do these people represent—the people, the state, or a few opportunists?
- How is your relationship with other opposition parties?
İmamoğlu: Turkey is facing enormous challenges—from justice to education, healthcare to the economy. In moments like this, the opposition must act together for the country’s future.
We consult regularly with other parties on shared national concerns. Leaders from the İYİ Party, DEM Party, Victory Party, Workers’ Party, Labor Party, and others visited me in prison. I thank them for their solidarity.
The future of Turkey lies with the opposition—and we believe our combined support now approaches 70%. Dialogue and coordination will be key to safeguarding democracy and restoring the public trust.
