Turkiye police detain Erdogan rival Imamoglu in corruption, terror probe

According to Turkish police, the mayor of Istanbul has been detained as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and terrorism connections.

Ekrem Imamoglu, a top adversary of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was detained on Wednesday morning, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency, according to the state-run news agency. Prosecutors also reportedly issued detention warrants for the mayor and about 100 others.

Imamoglu stated in a video that “We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be depressed.” He claimed that the people were “usurping the will” of the government.

In an ostensible effort to stop protests following Imamoglu’s arrest, authorities also temporarily closed several roads around Istanbul and prohibited demonstrations for four days.

In a historic blow to Erdogan and the president’s Justice and Development Party, or AK Party, which had ruled Istanbul for 25 years, Imamoglu was elected mayor of Turkiye’s largest city in March 2019.

Imamoglu won a second election several months later after the AK Party’s efforts to oust the city’s 16 million municipal election results.

Imamoglu won over the AK Party in local elections last year, which helped his Republican People’s Party (CHP) win. The AK Party continued to win favor among the electorates, leading the country in the polls, drawing criticism from the CHP for its leadership, internal conflicts, and strategic direction.

Imamoglu’s diploma was invalidated on Tuesday by an Istanbul university, effectively preventing him from running for president under Turkish law.

Imamoglu threatened to contest the decision.

Imamoglu was scheduled to be chosen as its candidate for upcoming elections in the main opposition party’s primary on Sunday. It’s unlikely that the vote will continue right away.

Although 2028 is the election year for Turkiye’s next president, early elections are possible.

Ozgur Ozel, the CHP’s chairman, called the arrest of Imamoglu a “coup.”

He claimed that the country has a power to stop the country from choosing the next president. Our next president may be the target of an attempted coup, the statement read.

According to Sinem Koseoglu, a journalist from Diyarbakir, those detained include prominent journalists and business figures.

She said that “the main opposition figures have said that the decision is unlawful and illegal.”

Government officials refute claims that opposition figures’ legal proceedings were motivated by political reasons and insist that courts operate independently.