Turkish opposition leader criticizes weak Western response

PanARMENIAN.Net - Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition mayor of Istanbul, who was detained on March 19 along with several municipal officials, published an op-ed in The New York Times titled “I’m the main challenger to Turkey’s president. I’ve been jailed.”

Imamoglu argued that his arrest was purely politically motivated, stating that he is President Erdoğan’s leading rival.

“When President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan realized he couldn’t beat me at the ballot box, he turned to other methods. He defeated his main political opponent—me. I’ve been removed from elected office over financial accusations,” Imamoglu wrote, emphasizing that the charges were baseless, according to Factor.am.

He accused Erdoğan’s administration of dismantling democratic institutions, restricting press freedom, removing elected officials, undermining the legislature, controlling the judiciary, and manipulating elections.

“He silences the media, replaces elected mayors with trustees, paralyzes the legislature, controls the judiciary, and manipulates the vote. The recent mass arrests of protesters and journalists send a clear message—no one is safe. Ballots can be voided, and freedoms can vanish instantly. Under Erdoğan, the republic has become a republic of fear,” he wrote.

Despite these pressures, Imamoglu highlighted that broad segments of Turkish society have united around the idea of justice and a better future, with protest movements spreading across the country.

At the same time, Imamoglu expressed disappointment with the Western response to his arrest, especially from countries that prioritize democracy and human rights.

“Despite the pressure, signs of solidarity continue. Social democratic leaders and mayors in Turkey and worldwide—from Amsterdam to Zagreb—bravely and clearly voiced their support. Civil society, too, stood firm. But central governments have remained deafeningly silent. Washington merely expressed ‘concern over recent arrests and protests.’ European leaders, with few exceptions, have been far from forceful,” wrote the opposition figure.

He added that recent global developments—including Russia’s war in Ukraine, the collapse of Assad’s regime in Syria, and the destruction in Gaza—have only increased Turkey’s strategic importance, particularly in relation to European security.

Ekrem Imamoglu has been nominated for the presidency by the opposition Republican People’s Party. He was arrested on March 19 on charges of leading a criminal organization and corruption. He also faces terrorism-related allegations, including support for the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party. Imamoglu has denied all charges.