Turkish Court Orders Erdogan Political Rival Jailed Pending Trial on Corruption Charges

The arrest was made after Turkish authorities raided the Istanbul mayor’s home earlier this week.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu addresses his supporters in front of the Istanbul courthouse, in Istanbul on Jan. 31, 2025. Emrah Gurel/AP Photo

A Turkish court on March 23 ordered the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, a top rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu will remain jailed as he awaits a trial on corruption charges. He was detained after authorities raided his home earlier this week, kicking off the largest swath of street protests Turkey has seen in more than a decade.