Skip to main content

Cases against opposition politicians mount ahead of Turkish elections

Critics claim the government has weaponized the judiciary to neutralize leading figures in the Republican People’s Party.
Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu's poster.

ISTANBUL — It’s been a busy week for lawyers representing Turkish opposition politicians. 

Two prominent figures in the center-left Republican People’s Party (CHP) — Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and the head of the party’s Istanbul branch, Canan Kaftancioglu — have both been involved in cases that many see as attempts to sideline them ahead of elections due in the next 12 months. 

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.