[Today's Prayer] Erdogan's 'opponent' suddenly arrested... Concerns about Turkish democracy are raised

Turkish judicial authorities have suddenly arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a strong contender for the presidency of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on charges of terrorism, drawing criticism both inside and outside Turkey.

On the 19th (local time), Reuters reported that "Imamoğlu, a prominent politician in Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party, was arrested on charges of supporting a terrorist group and corruption," and that "protests against the arrest took place across the country, and amid the political chaos, the value of the Turkish lira plunged by 12% at one point, reaching an all-time low."

The local prosecutor's office issued an arrest warrant for İmamoğlu on charges of supporting Kurdish separatist political organizations designated as terrorist groups and receiving money from businessmen.

Last March, Imamoglu emerged as a potential rival to President Erdogan, who has been in power for 22 years, after winning reelection as mayor of Istanbul, the largest city, in local elections. He was expected to be elected as the presidential candidate in the Republican People’s Party primary on the 23rd, but was arrested just before that, putting him in a political crisis.

“We are facing a coup attempt against the ‘next president,’” said Ozgur Ozel, the leader of the Republican People’s Party, and appealed, “We must prevent attempts by the country to decide the next government.”

Concerns and criticism poured in from the international community as well. “We want Turkey to be rooted in Europe,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. “Turkey must uphold the rights of elected officials and commit to democratic norms and practices.” Christophe Lemoine, a French Foreign Ministry spokesman, also expressed concern over Imamoglu’s arrest, saying, “It will have serious consequences for Turkish democracy.”

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Source: Nate News

To fear the Lord is to hate evil. I hate pride and arrogance, the evil way and the perverse mouth. I have counsel and sound knowledge; I am understanding and I am strong. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice; by me princes and nobles, all righteous judges rule. (Prov. 8:13-16)

Imamoğlu, a prominent politician in the main opposition party in Turkey and the mayor of Istanbul, was arrested on charges of supporting Kurdish separatist political organizations and corruption. However, we hear that protests are taking place across Turkey against the arrest, claiming that current Turkish President Erdogan is blaming his leading presidential rival.

In this regard, the international community is also concerned that the arrest of a person who will replace the dictatorship of President Erdogan, who has been in power for 22 years, will have serious consequences for Turkish democracy. Above all, we pray that Jesus Christ will become the Lord of Turkey and that righteous judges who have received God’s wisdom and discernment will rule Turkey.

In this political chaos, may the local churches in Turkey and the global church send out more people to spread the gospel so that the souls of Turkmen who have become poor in spirit can hear the gospel, and may God’s righteous rule come to Turkey.

Also, just as Mayor Imamoglu of Istanbul supported the Kurds, may leaders be raised up in Turkey who can protect minorities such as the Kurds and refugees and find ways for them to coexist in Turkey.

So, may the Turks, minorities, and refugees unite in Jesus Christ and become the first people of the kingdom of God, and may the spirituality of the early church that prayed in the language and dialect of each nation with the power of the Holy Spirit be restored, and may a revival take place to serve the nations!