Turkish Authorities Expand Crackdown on Opposition Leaders

Turkish authorities intensified their crackdown on opposition figures by detaining İnan Güney, the mayor of Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district, along with approximately 40 other officials on Friday. Güney’s arrest is part of an investigation into alleged corruption, as reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency. His detention marks a significant escalation in the ongoing efforts by the government to suppress dissent.

Güney, a member of the main opposition party, the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), was taken into custody alongside several close aides, including his bodyguard and advisers. This incident unfolds just five months after the arrest of another prominent CHP figure, Ekrem İmamoğlu, the popular mayor of Istanbul. İmamoğlu is considered the primary political rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and has been nominated as the CHP’s candidate for the upcoming 2028 presidential election. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that his imprisonment is politically motivated.

The CHP has gained traction in recent regional elections, demonstrating increasing popularity among the electorate. In the last year, the party won significant victories, including the mayoralty of Istanbul, by successfully contesting districts that have historically supported Erdoğan’s ruling Islamist party. The CHP also secured control of Turkey’s capital, Ankara, as well as other major cities like Izmir, Bursa, and Adana. These results pushed the party’s national support to approximately 37.8 percent, with victories in 35 of Turkey’s 81 provinces.

Despite the government’s insistence that the arrests are not politically motivated, rights groups argue that these actions aim to curb the growing influence of the CHP. The arrest of İmamoğlu in March triggered widespread protests across the nation, which were met with a heavy-handed response from authorities, resulting in thousands of detentions. Since then, Turkish authorities have continued to arrest numerous opposition figures, further escalating tensions within the political landscape.

The situation reflects a broader trend in Turkey under Erdoğan’s administration, where dissent is increasingly met with repression. As the political climate evolves, the implications of these arrests could resonate through the upcoming elections, shaping the future of opposition politics in Turkey.