The mayor of Istanbul and the presidential rival Erdogan were arrested
Istanbul mayor was arrested as part of an investigation into Turkish corruption – just days before his choice as a presidential candidate.
EKREM Imamoglu, from the Secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), is seen as one of its strongest political competitors in the Turkish president.
Prosecutors say he is accused of “suspected of the criminal organization.”
The authorities detained 100 suspects – including politicians, journalists and other businessmen – as part of the investigation, and the Istanbul Governor’s office imposed four days of restrictions in the city.
Imamoglu wrote on social media that “the will of people cannot be silenced.”
In a video posted on the Internet, he pledged to “stand” for the people of Türkiye “and all who support democracy and justice around the world.
“I stand firm in my battle for basic rights and freedoms,” IMamoglu added.
The arrest comes as part of a major campaign against opposition figures worldwide in recent months.
Critics condemned the moves as political motives. But Erdogan, in power for 22 years, and his party denied these allegations, insists that the judiciary in Türkiye is independent.
Last year, Imamoglu won a second term The mayor of Istanbul also, when the Al -Shaerbout Party invaded the Republican People’s Party, the local elections there and in Ankara.
This was the first time since Erdogan reached power, defeating his party throughout the country in the ballot box.
The elections were also a personal blow to the president, who grew up and became the mayor of Istanbul as he ascended to power.
Dozens of police officers participated in an early raid in the home of Imamoglu in the largest city in Türkiye.
The presidential Chp, in which IMamoglu is the only candidate, will be chosen on Sunday.
This came a day after the Istanbul University canceled its degree due to the alleged violations – a decision, if it is supported, will prevent him from running in the presidential elections.
According to the Turkish constitution, the presidents must have completed higher education for pregnancy.
Imamoglu described the move as “legal baseless”, adding that universities “must remain independent, free of political intervention, and devoted to knowledge.”
Its Republican People’s Party was distinguished by its recent interventions against it as a “coup attempt” to prevent the nation from identifying the next president.
The party leader, Ozgur Ozel, wrote to X that making decisions on behalf of people, replacing their will, or using force to prevent it, reached a coup.
Its vice president, Ilhan Ozuj, accused the government of using detention as a tool to intimidate “Türkiye’s opposition.
“Very concerned about the state of democracy in Türkiye in general,” he told the BBC.
The pro -government media reported that, in addition to accusing it of blackmail and fraud, it is also claimed that IMamoglu has helped the PKK.
The Kurdistan Workers Party – or the Kurdistan Labor Party – has launched a rebellion since 1984, and prohibits it as a terrorist group in Türkiye, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.
After the mass detention on Wednesday, the Istanbul ruler ordered a four -day ban on all demonstrations, meetings and press data in Istanbul, in order to preserve the “public order” and stop “possible provocative measures.”
Several streets in Istanbul were closed in front of traffic, while some metro lines have also canceled their services.
Reports indicate that officials have restricted severe access to social media such as X, YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok after arrest.
This is not the first time that imamoglu has faced legal issues.
In 2022, He was sentenced to more than two and a half years in prison To insult public employees in a letter.
