WHEN MY HUSBAND, Ekrem Imamoglu, was arrested in the early hours of March 19th, millions across Turkey felt exactly as I did: not only sorrow but a strong sense of injustice and rising anger. Under the rule of the present government, spanning more than two decades, many Turks have been forced to face these feelings as their country sinks deeper into authoritarianism.
I had sensed for days that something was coming. Ekrem—the man who wrestled Istanbul from the grip of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) in local elections in March 2019, and who has defeated it twice since then—has long faced a relentless effort to push him out of public life. But in recent months the attacks have become more vicious.
As his wife, and companion in the fight for justice, I have stood firm beside Ekrem through every smear campaign, every fabricated case and every crude attempt at character assassination. His detention came days before he was elected as the candidate of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) for the next presidential race. Now, Ekrem, the mayor of Istanbul, and his team, who have challenged an unjust, unequal and unlawful system, face baseless charges. The charges against him would be laughable if their intent weren’t so grave. A university diploma he earned 31 years ago was suddenly declared invalid, with the aim of disqualifying him from being a presidential candidate.
Ekrem’s arrest and suspension from office were aimed at intimidating him and the public. Instead, they have galvanised people across Turkey. Across provinces and political divides, regardless of age, background or gender, millions see this moment as a tipping-point for the country’s democracy. Ekrem’s case now stands as a symbol of something larger—the collapse of the rule of law, the shrinking space for freedom of expression, and the growing schism between those who rule and those who feel their votes are nullified.
Turkey today faces converging crises in economic, political and institutional spheres. Inflation has eroded wages, driving millions of people into poverty. The education system is broken. Many of our best and brightest are leaving the country.
But in this bleak climate there is growing hope. The CHP—founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk—emerged from the local elections of 2024 as the country’s leading party. The message from the voters was: enough is enough.
Ekrem has become a symbol of the change that Turkey desperately needs, and he is widely regarded as its engine. Whether behind a desk or iron bars, he is not alone. In the CHP’s open primary, more than 15m people supported him as the party’s presidential candidate. He represents the millions who want to be governed fairly and who still believe in the founding premise of our republic: that sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the people. That will has not been broken, despite bans, arrests and threats.
As his wife, and as a citizen, I will not give up. I draw my strength and courage from women across Turkey—mothers, professionals, students, young people, workers who have held firm. I believe in the country we can rebuild, grounded not in fear but in democracy, the rule of law, equality, inclusion and co-existence.
The road ahead is difficult—both for my country and my family. However, those who believe that imprisoning individuals will silence ideas are mistaken. Justice cannot be outlawed. Conscience cannot be detained. This country has endured dark periods—and it will emerge from this one, too, with its democratic will intact. We owe that not only to the founders of the republic but also to the people of all ages and walks of life who have taken to the streets to demonstrate their desire for a better future.
Dilek Imamoglu, the wife of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, has played a prominent role in the protests and rallies held since his arrest.