Turkey’s Opposition leader visits jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
The Hindu
Imamoglu's arrest sparks protests, political turmoil in Turkey as opposition leader visits him in prison.
The head of Turkey's main Opposition party visited jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on Tuesday (March 25, 2025) after six nights of massive protests calling for his release.
Imamoglu, arrested on March 19 on corruption charges, is seen as the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 22-year rule. His arrest has been widely viewed as politically motivated and sparked demonstrations, some turning violent, across the country. The government insists Turkey’s judiciary is independent and free of political influence.
Also Read | Turkiye detains more than 1,000 in protests since Istanbul Mayor’s arrest, Minister says
Ozgur Ozel, the leader of Imamoglu's Republican People’s Party, or CHP, arrived at Silivri prison, west of Istanbul, in a convoy of vehicles Tuesday morning.
After a two-hour meeting, Mr. Ozel told reporters that he was “ashamed on behalf of those who govern Turkey of the atmosphere I am in and the situation that Turkey is being put through.”
He described Mr. Imamoglu and two jailed CHP district mayors he also met as “three lions inside, standing tall, with their heads held high … proud of themselves, their families, their colleagues, not afraid.”
Ozel announced the night before that Tuesday evening would be CHP's final rally outside Istanbul’s City Hall, calling for people to join in. He also said the party would appoint a member to the municipal council to act as mayor in Imamoglu's place, staving off the possibility of a state-appointed replacement.
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