Ekrem İmamoğlu writes for The New York Times: 'When they couldn't defeat me at the ballot box, they used the judiciary'

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu wrote an op-ed for the world-renowned newspaper The New York Times following his detention. In the piece, titled "I am the Turkish President's biggest rival, and I have been arrested," he detailed the morning of March 19, when he was taken into custody.

Describing the process, İmamoğlu stated, "The scene resembled the capture of a terrorist, not the elected mayor of Istanbul, Turkey's largest city."

''WHEN HE COULDN'T DEFEAT ME AT THE BALLOT BOX, HE USED THE JUDICIARY''

İmamoğlu stated that the accusations against him are a continuation of a process of "legal harassment" that reached its peak with the sudden cancellation of his university diploma from 31 years ago. "Realizing that he could not defeat me at the ballot box, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan resorted to other methods," said İmamoğlu, emphasizing that he has been accused of corruption, bribery, managing a criminal organization, and aiding the PKK, but that none of these are based on credible evidence.

Expressing that he was removed from office due to these accusations, İmamoğlu characterized the events as "political engineering."

''THE REPUBLIC HAS TURNED INTO A REGIME OF FEAR''

Claiming that Erdoğan has been trying to dismantle democratic checks and balances for years, İmamoğlu wrote that authoritarianism in Turkey has accelerated through pressure on the media, the appointment of trustees to municipalities, the control of the judiciary, and manipulation of elections.

Stating that arrests of protesters and journalists have become widespread, İmamoğlu said, "No one is safe. Votes can be invalidated and freedoms can be taken away in an instant. Under Erdoğan's rule, the republic has turned into a regime of fear."

İmamoğlu described his detention as a "new phase" in Turkey's slide toward authoritarianism. He drew attention to the gravity of the situation by stating, "A country with a long democratic tradition is now drifting toward a point of no return."

Noting that this was not limited to himself and that 100 other people were detained on the same day, İmamoğlu said that the people of Turkey have taken to the streets against the oppression.

''DESPITE THE OPPRESSION, THE PEOPLE RESISTED''

Explaining that hundreds of thousands of people from Istanbul to Rize took to the streets despite the protest ban and the closure of city entrances following his detention, İmamoğlu said, "People held vigils despite increasingly harsh measures and arrests."

Reminding that 15 million people determined him as their presidential candidate in his party's primary, İmamoğlu emphasized that he has continued his political struggle despite the investigations and lawsuits opened against him in recent years.

İmamoğlu continued his article by saying, "Since I was elected mayor in 2019, I have faced nearly 100 investigations and a dozen court cases. I have competed against and defeated candidates supported by Erdoğan three times. Now, because he cannot defeat me in elections, he is trying to sideline me by using the judiciary."

WHY HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE TAKEN TO THE STREETS SINCE GEZI?

Pointing out that such a large popular movement has not been seen in Turkey since the 2013 Gezi Park protests, İmamoğlu explained the reasons for this mass reaction as follows:

"Public frustration due to increasing injustice and the economic crisis has reached a boiling point. People are uniting around me as a candidate who offers hope for inclusivity, justice, and a better future. They will not be silenced."

Stating that his detention was not just a political move, İmamoğlu said it was an attempt to drag Turkey into a more authoritarian administration.

While expressing that support demonstrations were held in many places from Amsterdam to Zagreb, İmamoğlu criticized world leaders for remaining unresponsive.

"Washington expressed its 'concerns regarding the latest arrests and protests' in Turkey. From Europe, only a few leaders gave a clear reaction. The rest are silent," he said, highlighting the indifference of the international community.

Stating that Russia's war in Ukraine, the overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria, and developments in Gaza have increased Turkey's strategic importance, İmamoğlu said that this should not justify remaining silent on human rights violations.

''AN ERA OF UNCHECKED DICTATORS''

Emphasizing that the survival of democracy in Turkey is critical not only for the Turkish people but also for the future of democracy worldwide, İmamoğlu made the following call:

"The era of unchecked dictators requires those who defend democracy to be at least as brave, vocal, and determined as the autocrats. I trust the people who are fighting for justice and democracy in Turkey and all over the world."