İmamoğlu's detention on the world agenda: 'Erdoğan has accepted he cannot win'

12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS

The detention of CHP presidential hopeful and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu following the cancellation of his diploma has been brought to the agenda of the international press. Foreign media outlets interpreted these developments as a critical turning point for Turkey's political future. News sources emphasized that İmamoğlu is seen as a significant political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Associated Press (AP) reported the detention decision with the phrase, ''a move aimed at preventing Erdoğan from facing a strong rival in the next election.''

The Istanbul University Board of Directors met under the chairmanship of Rector Prof. Dr. Osman Bülent Zülfikar and cancelled the diploma İmamoğlu received 31 years ago. The board revoked the diplomas of 28 people, including İmamoğlu, citing 'non-existence' and 'clear error.' The decision taken will be officially notified to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).

İmamoğlu was detained ahead of the CHP's presidential nomination primary scheduled for March 23. The detention occurred following the cancellation of İmamoğlu's university diploma. The foreign press stated that political tension in Turkey is rising and characterized the decision as 'politically motivated.' The 4-day demonstration and assembly ban issued by the Istanbul Governor's Office also found space in international media.

THE GUARDIAN: AN ATTEMPT TO WEAKEN ERDOĞAN'S RIVAL

The UK-based The Guardian recalled the repeated local elections in 2019 and described the detention decision for İmamoğlu as 'political.' The Guardian also included the views of Wolfango Piccoli from the political risk consultancy firm Teneo in its report.

Interpreting the detention decision as an attempt by Erdoğan to weaken his rival during the election process, The Guardian used the following expressions:

''Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested days before his presidential candidacy. The arrest came one day after Istanbul University invalidated İmamoğlu's diploma. The university cited allegations of irregularities in İmamoğlu's transfer to the business faculty from a private university in Northern Cyprus in 1990. İmamoğlu described this decision as 'illegal' and announced he would appeal.

The arrest took place following a search of İmamoğlu's home on Tuesday. Authorities closed many roads in Istanbul to prevent protests following the arrest and banned demonstrations in the city for four days. In a video shared on social media, İmamoğlu reacted by using the phrase, "A coup against the national will."

The diploma cancellation and arrest are being evaluated as an attempt by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to weaken his rival during the election process. İmamoğlu was planning to run in the 2028 presidential elections.

Piccoli said the cancellation of the diploma is an indication that Erdoğan has accepted he cannot achieve an election victory.

In an emailed note, Piccoli stated, ''The decision to cancel İmamoğlu's diploma is more than just undermining a fair election race by eliminating the strongest rival. The government reflects the courage and power to dictate what is real and what is not by controlling the state apparatus.''

The cases could result in prison sentences and a political ban.''

DER SPIEGEL: RETALIATION AGAINST İMAMOĞLU

The German news outlet Der Spiegel included the detail in its report that the arrest was made on the grounds of İmamoğlu's alleged PKK links. The newspaper reported that İmamoğlu could face political bans due to the cases. The report recalled that German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier held a meeting with İmamoğlu in 2024.

Stating that bans on demonstrations and assembly marches have begun in Istanbul, Der Spiegel noted the following:

''First the cancellation of the university diploma, now the arrest: Turkish authorities are expanding their retaliation against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The Turkish judiciary is launching a comprehensive case against Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and dozens of others, including businessmen and journalists.

Turkish authorities have arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The arrest occurred following the cancellation of İmamoğlu's university diploma. İmamoğlu is accused of managing a criminal organization, bribery, bid-rigging, and aiding a terrorist organization. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested that İmamoğlu be tried on allegations of having links to the terrorist organization PKK.

As part of the arrests, approximately 100 people, including İmamoğlu's media advisor Murat Ongun, were detained. In a statement on social media, Ongun said, "They think they can prevent us from defending Ekrem İmamoğlu by silencing us." In Istanbul, some streets were closed to traffic and demonstrations were banned to prevent protests following the arrests.

İmamoğlu, along with CHP's Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş, is seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's strongest rival. He announced his candidacy for the presidential elections to be held in 2028. He was supposed to be officially nominated as a presidential candidate on Sunday.

İmamoğlu, who is under investigation, was going to be declared his party's candidate for the 2028 presidential elections in the primary to be held by the main opposition party CHP on Sunday; however, (his candidacy) was blocked by a court order. The next regular presidential election in Turkey is planned for 2028. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also met with İmamoğlu during his visit to Turkey in April 2024.''

(A frame from the meeting between German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and İmamoğlu Source: İBB)

ASSOCIATED PRESS: HIGH PROBABILITY OF EARLY ELECTION

The US news agency AP included İmamoğlu's video message in its report. AP's report stated that the demonstration and march ban in Istanbul was implemented to prevent possible protests by the opposition.

Underlining that İmamoğlu could face a political ban, AP stated the following:

''Police arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on allegations of corruption and terror links. The arrest occurred one day after the cancellation of İmamoğlu's university diploma. Authorities closed various roads in Istanbul to prevent protests following the arrests and banned demonstrations for four days.

Critics say the crackdown comes as calls for early national elections have increased following significant losses for Erdoğan's ruling party in local elections in March. Government officials deny that the courts operate independently and reject claims that legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated. Experts emphasized that the decision is a move aimed at preventing Erdoğan from facing a strong rival in the next election.

According to reports from the opposition Halk TV, police also detained well-known investigative journalist İsmail Saymaz for questioning.

The cases could result in prison sentences and a political ban.

A day earlier, a university invalidated İmamoğlu's diploma, effectively disqualifying the popular opposition figure from running in the next presidential race.

Turkey's next presidential election is planned for 2028, but the probability of an early election is high.

In a video message shared on social media, İmamoğlu said, "We are facing a great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not lose my courage." While the opposition characterized the arrest as "politically motivated," government officials argued that the courts are independent.

İmamoğlu was planning to run in the 2028 presidential elections. However, the cancellation of his diploma and his arrest have made his political future uncertain. İmamoğlu could face prison sentences and political bans in the cases against him.''

CNN: 'ARREST CAME BEFORE THE PRIMARY'

Emphasizing that the possibility of an early election in Turkey is increasing, CNN reported that İmamoğlu could face political bans. In CNN's report, it was stated that İmamoğlu is seen as Erdoğan's biggest rival.

Noting that İmamoğlu was planning to run in the upcoming presidential elections, CNN included the following expressions in its report:

''Prosecutors ordered the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and nearly 100 others. The arrest decision came a few days before the primary where İmamoğlu was expected to be nominated as a presidential candidate. In footage broadcast on CNN Türk, riot police were seen standing by in front of İmamoğlu's house.

İmamoğlu is seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's biggest rival. Planning to run in the 2028 presidential elections, İmamoğlu could face political bans due to the cases against him. The opposition evaluates the arrest as 'politically motivated'.''

(İmamoğlu's video message)

KATHIMERINI: 'DECISION CAME AFTER PRESSURE ON THE OPPOSITION'

The Greek newspaper Kathimerini devoted extensive coverage to the cancellation of İmamoğlu's diploma and the detention decision. Arguing that pressure on the opposition in Turkey is increasing, Kathimerini announced that the İBB Mayor could be sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Reporting that İmamoğlu will not be able to enter the elections without a diploma, Kathimerini wrote the following:

''Istanbul University cancelled İmamoğlu's diploma on the grounds of allegations of irregularities. The decision was interpreted as an attempt to block İmamoğlu's presidential candidacy. İmamoğlu will not be able to enter the elections without his diploma.

The university's decision came after the government's pressure on the opposition, specifically targeting İmamoğlu, who announced his presidential candidacy in Turkey's upcoming elections.

İmamoğlu is seen as the mayor of Turkey's largest metropolis and the strongest candidate of the main opposition party CHP in the presidential elections. İmamoğlu is being tried with prison sentences exceeding 23 years in the cases against him, and it is requested that he be deprived of his political rights. The CHP plans to nominate İmamoğlu in the 2028 presidential elections.''

News Source: 12punto