Jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu Resigns from CHP to Join Newly Formed Opposition Party

 

Jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu Resigns from CHP to Join Newly Formed Opposition Party

Ekrem İmamoğlu, the jailed Mayor of Istanbul and prominent Turkish opposition figure, announced his resignation from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) after 17 years of membership to join the newly formed "New Party." The political reorganization follows a contentious court ruling that removed the previous CHP leadership and reinstated former chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

The New Party, established by Özgür Özel alongside 90 breakaway lawmakers, has become the second-largest party in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. İmamoğlu, who was detained in March 2025 and remains in pre-trial detention facing municipal corruption charges he denies, stated via social media that the decision reflects his responsibility toward building an alternative democratic path in Turkish politics.

• Sources & Direct Links:

  • Reuters / Internazionale: Jailed Istanbul mayor Imamoglu joins new opposition party amid political turmoil

  • Asharq Al-Awsat: Jailed Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu Joins New Opposition Party Amid Political Turmoil

  • The Arab Weekly: Imamoglu quits CHP, joins new party in fresh challenge to Erdogan

Ekrem İmamoğlu Resigns from CHP to Back Özgür Özel’s New Political Movement

 

Ekrem İmamoğlu Resigns from CHP to Back Özgür Özel’s New Political Movement

Detained former Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has formally resigned from the Republican People's Party (CHP) after 17 years of membership. İmamoğlu publicly announced his decision to throw his political support behind the New Party, recently established by Özgür Özel, signaling a major realignment within the Turkish political landscape.

Sources:

• Türkiye Today: Ex-Istanbul mayor Imamoglu quits CHP, throws weight behind Ozel's New Party

Demonstrators Gather in Istanbul to Protest Arrests of Opposition Officials

 

Demonstrators Gather in Istanbul to Protest Arrests of Opposition Officials

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Istanbul to voice opposition against the arrests of municipal opposition figures. Demonstrations were reported across several areas, including a rally in Beylikdüzü marking the 500th day of the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, alongside protests regarding the detention of the Üsküdar district mayor.

Source: Ghana News Agency / Reuters Connect

Turkey Revokes Operating License of Istanbul Bilgi University Amid Criminal Probe

 

Turkey Revokes Operating License of Istanbul Bilgi University Amid Criminal Probe

By presidential decree, the Turkish government has officially revoked the operational license of Istanbul Bilgi University, effectively forcing the closure of the institution. The decision follows a state seizure linked to an ongoing criminal investigation into the university's operating foundation and its owner, Can Holding. The closure order for the liberal-leaning independent university was issued in the middle of the academic period, directly affecting a student body of over 20,000 domestic and international students.

Sources:

• Reuters: Turkey revokes licence for university seized by state in criminal probe

• Dawn: Turkiye's Erdogan shuts Istanbul Bilgi University seized by state in criminal probe

• Euronews: Erdoğan signs decree closing Istanbul's Bilgi University amid criminal probe into owner

• The Times of Israel: Turkey's Erdogan orders closure of liberal-leaning Istanbul university

57 Detained in Raids Targeting Istanbul Municipality Subsidiary

 

57 Detained in Raids Targeting Istanbul Municipality Subsidiary

Turkish police have carried out simultaneous raids across multiple provinces, resulting in the detention of 57 suspects. The operation, which spanned Istanbul, Adana, Bursa, Diyarbakır, Konya, and Yalova, targeted a subsidiary of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. According to reports, the detainees include several high-ranking municipal officials. This marks the latest in a series of sweeping probes directed at local municipal operations by law enforcement authorities.

Sources: Xinhua | Turkish Minute | Stockholm Center for Freedom