Turkey is facing one of its most severe political crises in recent history after authorities detained Mehmet Pehlivan, the lawyer representing Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key opposition figure. Pehlivan’s arrest follows Imamoglu’s brief jailing earlier this week on corruption charges, which triggered widespread protests and a harsh government crackdown.
The detention of Pehlivan, who defended Imamoglu against allegations many consider politically motivated, has further fueled accusations that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government is weaponizing the judiciary to neutralize political challengers ahead of upcoming elections.
Pehlivan was detained on allegations of money laundering, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency. However, the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), of which Imamoglu is a prominent member, claims the charges are baseless and part of a broader effort to intimidate legal professionals who defend government critics.
“This is a direct attack on democracy,” said Turan Taskin Ozer, a CHP lawmaker. “First, they arrest our most popular politician on trumped-up charges, and now they go after his lawyer. The government is sending a clear message: anyone who stands in their way will be silenced.”
Imamoglu, who was released on bail but suspended from his mayoral duties pending trial, condemned the detention of his lawyer. “As if the coup on democracy wasn’t enough, they can’t stand the victims of this coup defending themselves,” he wrote on social media.
Ekrem Imamoglu, seen as Erdogan’s strongest political rival, was detained last Sunday over corruption allegations that many of his supporters view as a politically motivated attempt to prevent him from running in the next presidential election. Imamoglu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and accused Erdogan’s government of trying to dismantle the opposition through legal harassment.
The mayor’s arrest sparked Turkey’s largest anti-government protests in over a decade, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and other cities. Demonstrators clashed with police, who responded with tear gas, water cannons, and mass arrests.
More than 1,900 people have been detained since the protests erupted, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. While CHP-led rallies officially ended earlier this week, smaller decentralized protests continue in several cities, despite heavy police presence and crackdowns on demonstrators.
“The people are outraged,” said Ayse Demir, a university student protesting in Istanbul’s Kadikoy district. “This is not just about Imamoglu. It’s about all of us and the future of our democracy.”
Pehlivan’s detention is part of a wider pattern of arrests targeting political opponents, journalists, and activists. Legal advocacy groups have reported that authorities have been denying lawyers access to detainees and detaining journalists covering the protests. The Istanbul Bar Association stated that three lawyers were among nearly 100 people arrested at a demonstration in the Sisli district on Thursday.
“We are witnessing a full-scale assault on the right to legal defense,” said Burak Aydin, a spokesperson for the association. “This is a clear signal that the government will go to any lengths to suppress opposition voices, even if it means eroding the last remnants of judicial independence.”
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the mass arrests, warning that Turkey is sliding deeper into authoritarianism. The European Union has also expressed concern over the crackdown, with several member states calling for an immediate review of Turkey’s human rights record.
The escalating political crisis has drawn international attention. The U.S. State Department issued a statement urging the Turkish government to respect judicial independence and the right to peaceful protest. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have also voiced concern over Turkey’s direction under Erdogan’s leadership.
Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, one of Turkey’s most influential intellectuals, described the recent events as “the most dangerous moment for Turkish democracy since the 2016 failed coup.”
Meanwhile, the country’s economy is feeling the effects of the turmoil. The Turkish lira has plunged to record lows amid investor fears of increasing instability. The Istanbul Stock Exchange saw significant losses following Imamoglu’s arrest, prompting authorities to briefly halt trading to prevent panic-driven sell-offs.
“Political uncertainty is the biggest risk to Turkey’s economy right now,” said Emre Koc, an economist at a leading Turkish think tank. “Foreign investors are already hesitant due to Erdogan’s economic policies, and this latest crisis will only make things worse.”
As Turkey heads toward elections next year, the crackdown on opposition figures like Imamoglu signals a turbulent road ahead. While the government insists that legal actions against him and his associates are based on legitimate concerns, opposition leaders argue that Erdogan is using the judiciary as a tool to secure his grip on power.
The CHP has announced plans for further protests, despite the heavy-handed police response. “This fight is not just about Imamoglu—it’s about the future of Turkey,” said CHP leader Ozgur Ozel. “We will not allow democracy to be buried.”
Legal proceedings against Imamoglu are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with his supporters fearing that a conviction could bar him from holding office indefinitely. Meanwhile, the fate of his lawyer, Pehlivan, remains uncertain as he faces a legal system widely seen as being under government influence.
