Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a prominent opposition figure against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been formally arrested and ordered to be jailed pending trial on corruption charges.

His detention follows a raid at his residence, marking a significant escalation in the government’s crackdown on dissent.

The arrest has prompted the largest wave of protests in Turkey in over a decade, reflecting widespread public outrage.

Imamoglu's imprisonment is seen by many political observers as a strategic maneuver to eliminate a potent rival ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.

His party, the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has initiated a primary election to endorse him as a presidential candidate despite his arrest.

In a show of solidarity, the CHP also established symbolic ballot boxes across the country, enabling citizens—regardless of party affiliation—to express their support for the mayor.

Government officials have dismissed allegations that the legal actions against Imamoglu are politically motivated, asserting that Turkey's judiciary operates independently.

However, criticisms of the judicial process have emerged, particularly from Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, a fellow CHP member.

He expressed concerns regarding the proceedings' lack of transparency, stating that critical information about the allegations surfaced through media rather than legal channels, which has raised questions about the integrity of the legal system.

Prior to his arrest, Imamoglu faced multiple criminal charges that could lead to imprisonment or a political disqualification.

In a separate development earlier this week, a university annulled his diploma based on alleged irregularities in his academic transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus, effectively disqualifying him from eligibility to run for president, as Turkish law mandates candidates have a university degree.

Imamoglu has announced his intent to contest this decision.

Since his election as mayor in March 2019, Imamoglu has been a significant thorn in Erdogan's political landscape, winning in a pivotal race that ended the ruling Justice and Development Party's 25-year hold on Istanbul.

Imamoglu's victory was preceded by an attempt from Erdogan’s party to nullify election results, citing irregularities—an effort that required a repeat election later that year, which Imamoglu won once again.

His administration has maintained strong popularity following local elections last year, where the CHP notably gained ground against Erdogan’s governing coalition.