Today in Focus The arrest that plunged Turkey into turmoil
10 snips
Mar 26, 2025 
Sami Kent, a senior producer and Turkish politics expert, joins Ruth Michaelson, a Guardian foreign correspondent in Istanbul, to discuss the eruption of public protests after President Erdoğan's arrest of rival Ekrem Imamoglu. They delve into the parallels with the 2013 Gezi Park protests and explore how Imamoglu's rise symbolizes hope for democracy. They also scrutinize Turkey's political landscape, the public’s response to government crackdowns, and Erdoğan's international maneuvering amid growing unrest.
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Imamoglu's Rise
- Ekrem Imamoglu, mayor of Istanbul since 2019, has risen quickly in Turkish politics.
- Six years ago, he was not a prominent figure, coming from Trabzon and entering business before joining the CHP party.
Imamoglu's Political Strategy
- Imamoglu responds to political attacks with "radical love," a positive message resonating with the public.
- This counters Erdogan's narrative that the opposition is elitist and disdainful of ordinary Turks.
Imamoglu's Arrest
- Imamoglu's university diploma was revoked, and he was arrested on corruption and terrorism charges.
- This happened just before he was to be declared the opposition's presidential candidate.
