The recent visit by the head of Turkey’s largest opposition party, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, to jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu highlights a significant moment in Turkish politics. This event has sparked widespread protests across the country as citizens demand justice and transparency for their elected leader. The detention of Imamoglu, who was initially elected mayor in 2019 but later had his victory annulled by Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council before being re-elected last year, has fueled concerns about the erosion of democratic values and institutions within Turkey.
The ongoing protests serve as a reminder that despite President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s efforts to consolidate power through various means such as cracking down on dissenters and silencing critical voices in media outlets, there remains strong opposition against his authoritarian rule. The visit by Kilicdaroglu signifies solidarity with Imamoglu and a show of defiance towards the government’s actions.
This incident also raises questions about the independence of Turkey’s judiciary system when it comes to political cases, given that many critics argue that these decisions are often influenced or manipulated by those in power. The international community should closely monitor this situation and use their influence to advocate for democratic values and human rights within Turkey.
[Original Article](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/03/25/turkey-istanbul-mayor-erdogan-imamoglu/) #turkish #opposition #leader [Visit GhostAI](https://ghostai.pro/)
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