Wed Mar 19 05:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Veteran Journalist Hasan Cemal Denounces Arrest of Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu as a “Coup”
**ISTANBUL** – Veteran Turkish journalist Hasan Cemal has condemned the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and other CHP officials as a “coup,” echoing similar statements by CHP leader Özgür Özel. In a powerful article published on his online platform, Cemal decried the actions as a blatant disregard for democracy and the rule of law.
İmamoğlu, in a video recorded shortly before his arrest, stated that hundreds of police were deployed to intimidate Istanbul residents and that the government was attempting to usurp the will of the people. Cemal, a prominent critic of President Erdoğan, directly addressed Erdoğan in his article, accusing him of exceeding the limits of authoritarian rule and disregarding justice and the legal system.
Cemal’s article connects İmamoğlu’s arrest to the recent annulment of the mayor’s university degree, drawing parallels to past instances of political oppression. He argued that this action, alongside the arrests, represents a grave threat to fundamental rights and freedoms in Turkey.
The arrest follows a broader crackdown on opposition figures, which has fueled concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions in the country. Cemal’s article concludes with a defiant message, pledging his support for İmamoğlu and those fighting for democracy, justice, and human rights in Turkey. He asserts that the struggle for these principles will continue. Cemal’s long and distinguished career, marked by outspoken criticism of the government and advocacy for press freedom, gives his condemnation significant weight.
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