The recent developments in Turkey following the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu were not entirely unexpected. For a long time, the Mayor of Istanbul has been in the crosshairs of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Eventually, on Wednesday morning (19.03.2025), Imamoglu and other elected mayors were arrested under allegations of corruption, involvement in a criminal organization, and terrorism. The operation involved thousands of police officers—an extraordinary deployment usually reserved for high-profile organized crime figures. Authorities also seized the construction company co-owned by the detained mayor, according to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Analysts suggest that Imamoglu’s arrest is no coincidence, as he leads in polls and is Erdogan’s primary opponent ahead of upcoming presidential elections. The crackdown comes after months of opposition suppression, drawing criticism from human rights groups. Despite a ban on protests for four days, thousands rallied in support of Imamoglu, chanting ‘Turkey will prevail.’ Students also took to the streets against the annulment of his degree and subsequent arrest. Clashes with police ensued, marked by tear gas and rubber bullets. This move by the government appears aimed at sidelining potential challengers before the next presidential race, extending Erdogan’s dominance. Turkey continues its prolonged EU accession process, hindered by concerns over democratic commitment and rule of law adherence.