Jailed Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu Says Demand for Political Change in Türkiye “Cannot Be Stopped”

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, currently jailed and facing multiple legal cases, says the public demand for political change in Türkiye is irreversible. In remarks delivered through his lawyers ahead of a major corruption trial, the opposition figure argued that efforts to remove him from politics will not halt the broader momentum behind the opposition.

The ongoing trial of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)’s presidential candidate, has become one of the most closely watched political developments in Türkiye.

Although the first hearing of the high-profile Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) case is taking place this week, critics argue the process is being presented domestically as a routine legal matter — one more event in a political landscape often shaped by overlapping crises.

Yet many analysts believe the events surrounding March 19, when the legal proceedings accelerated, represent a critical turning point in Türkiye’s political trajectory and a continuation of what they describe as a decade-long shift toward tighter political control.

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“Demand for change is growing”

Speaking to AFP through written responses conveyed by his lawyers from Silivri prison, west of Istanbul, İmamoğlu said the momentum behind political change in Türkiye could not be halted.

“An irreversible process for a change in power has begun in Türkiye and it will not stop until it is complete,” the 54-year-old mayor said.

“I cannot stop it, nor can the ruling party or the judiciary.”

İmamoğlu argued that public support for the opposition is driven not by loyalty to a single politician but by a broader demand among voters for political change.

“The ruling power must have believed that the nation’s demand for change was merely personal support for me,” he said.

“They thought that if they eliminated me, the obstacle would disappear. But what happened? The nation’s demand for change continues to grow stronger every day.”

Arrest sparked major protests

İmamoğlu’s arrest nearly a year ago triggered some of the largest street protests in Türkiye in more than a decade. The detention was followed by increasing legal pressure on the opposition CHP.

According to available data, 15 CHP mayors are currently in prison, intensifying concerns among opposition supporters about the future of political competition.

Despite these developments, İmamoğlu insists that the government’s strategy has not weakened the opposition.

“Over the past year, my party has emerged not weakened but strengthened,” he said.

“If an election were held today, CHP would still be the number one party, and those in power would be removed.”

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Trial could determine political future

Monday’s corruption trial represents the most serious legal challenge facing the mayor.

Prosecutors accuse İmamoğlu of leading a criminal network and engaging in corruption-related activities, allegations that he and his supporters strongly deny.

Critics of the case argue that the charges are designed to prevent him from challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a future presidential election.

İmamoğlu remains one of the few politicians widely seen as capable of defeating Erdoğan in a nationwide vote.

However, the mayor also faces another potentially decisive legal challenge: a lawsuit questioning the validity of his university diploma, which is a constitutional requirement for presidential candidates in Türkiye.

Even if he is acquitted in the corruption case, political observers believe these legal obstacles could still prevent him from running.

Many analysts say that if İmamoğlu is barred from the race, CHP leader Özgür Özel could emerge as the opposition’s presidential candidate.

Concerns about judicial independence

İmamoğlu also raised concerns about the state of judicial independence in Türkiye.

“Judicial independence is struggling to survive,” he said, while acknowledging that he still hopes for a fair trial.

Reflecting on his experience over the past year, he said the legal process had revealed “not a fair and independent judiciary but a group whose sole purpose was to detain me by manipulating the law.”

“People will vote to defend democracy”

Despite the legal challenges he faces, İmamoğlu argued that efforts to remove opposition candidates from the political arena may ultimately backfire.

“The government is openly threatening people’s right to choose,” he said.

“If you block every candidate people elect or want, they will vote for whoever it takes to make you go. This is a reflex to protect democracy.”

He insisted that political change in Türkiye is inevitable.

“One way or another, this government will change,” İmamoğlu said.

“Our nation is counting the days.”

Life behind bars

The mayor said he has adapted quickly to life in prison, where he joins numerous politicians, journalists and activists detained in politically sensitive cases.

“I have had no difficulty adapting to prison,” he said.

He spends much of his time reading, particularly books about Türkiye’s political and intellectual history.

Even behind bars, however, he says his political focus remains unchanged.

“Even before going to prison, I had a life where 24 hours were not enough,” he said.

“That is still the case today.”

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