Only 21.5 percent of Turks believe that the arrest of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was based on legitimate grounds, according to a new survey by the İstanbul-based Özdemir Research, the TR724 news website reported.
İmamoğlu, who became a prominent opposition figure after his landmark victory in İstanbul’s 2019 mayoral election and his re-election last year, is widely seen as the strongest rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, whose increasingly authoritarian rule has faced mounting criticism at home and abroad.
Özdemir Research conducted its survey between April 8 and 13, interviewing 2,025 participants. Respondents were asked, “To what extent do you believe the government was justified in the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu?” A majority of respondents, 50.8 percent, said they support İmamoğlu and believe his arrest was unjust; 21.5 percent said it was justified; and 27.7 percent said they were undecided.
ÖZDEMİR ARAŞTIRMA Nisan 2025 Gündem Araştırması Sonuçları Araştırma 08-13 Nisan Tarihleri Arasında 2025 Katılımcı ile Gerçekleştirilmiştir
Ekrem İmamoğlu’nun tutuklanması konusunda devletin ne derece haklı olduğunu düşünüyorsunuz? pic.twitter.com/loB1EqLbrV
— Özdemir Araştırma (@ozdmrarastrma) April 27, 2025
İmamoğlu was detained on March 19 and placed in pretrial detention on March 23 on corruption charges, which many critics view as politically motivated. His detention sparked widespread protests, the largest in Turkey since the anti-government Gezi Park demonstrations in 2013, significantly escalating political tensions.
In another part of the survey, participants were asked about the detention and subsequent arrest of some university students involved in a boycott of pro-government companies and media organizations against the arrest of İmamoğlu.
A striking 62.8 percent of respondents said they believe the government’s actions in detaining the students were unjust while 17.8 percent of them supported their detention.
The boycott campaign was initially launched by Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel during a demonstration outside İstanbul City Hall a day after İmamoğlu’s arrest. Özel named nearly two dozen brands, including popular bookstores and coffee chains, and urged people to cancel subscriptions and support independent businesses instead.
İmamoğlu expressed support for the boycott from prison.
Erdoğan and his government denounced the campaign, accusing the opposition of attempting to destabilize the Turkish economy.
The survey also posed a similar question regarding the arrest of Ümit Özdağ, leader of the anti-refugee Victory Party. Özdağ has been in pretrial detention since January 21 on charges of inciting hatred after a speech harshly criticizing the government. In his case, 44.3 percent of respondents said his arrest was unjust while 24.1 percent said it was just.
Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of up to seven years, 10 months for Özdağ under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code, which criminalizes inciting hatred among the public. Additional penalties are being sought because the alleged offense was committed through the press and broadcast channels. Özdağ is currently being held at Marmara Prison, formerly known as Silivri Prison, a high-security facility west of İstanbul that houses many political prisoners.