Istanbul Mayor Ekem Imamoglu appeared in front of the police to investigate terrorism charges on Saturday, a day after his investigation into corruption charges. This week’s arrest has sparked widespread protests across Turkey, with protesters gathering in several cities to express their opposition.
The mayor, a popular opposition figure who is considered the main rival for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was arrested on Wednesday after raiding his place of residence on charges of financial crimes and links to Kurdish fighters. Dozens of other prominent figures, including two district mayors, were also arrested.
Many people see the arrest as a political attempt to remove a popular opposition figure and the main rival for Erdogan in the upcoming presidential race, which is currently scheduled for 2028, government officials reject the allegations that legal action against opposition figures are politically motivated.
On Friday, police asked Imamğlu for four hours about corruption charges, during which he denied all the charges. He was expected to be transferred to a court on Saturday for an investigation by prosecutors and face charges.
The arrest of the protests that has increased intensively.
On Friday, police used pepper spray, tear gas and rubber bullets in Istanbul to push hundreds of demonstrators trying to break a barrier in front of the historical historical land of the city while throwing glasses, stones and other items for officers. Police also released the groups that gathered outside the municipal hall for the third night, after Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel delivered a speech to support the mayor.
At the same time, police broke demonstrations in the capital Ankara and the city of Izmir’s Empire. Thousands of people marched in several other cities and called on the government to resign.
The Interior Ministry said 97 people were arrested in the demonstrations. At least 16 policemen were injured.
Earlier, Erdogan said the government would not tolerate street protests and that the opposition party had not accused of links to corruption and terrorist organizations. Meanwhile, Ankara and Izmir authorities have declared a five-day ban on demonstrations after a similar measure previously imposed in Istanbul.
“An anti-corruption operation in Istanbul is being used as an excuse to stir up unrest in our streets. I want to know that we will not allow a handful of opportunists to bring unrest to Turkey just to protect their plunder plans,” Erdoğan said.
The arrest of Imamuğlu was nominated just days before he was expected to be nominated as the presidential candidate of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Sunday’s early elections. Ozil said the initial elections, which could vote about 1.5 million representatives, would go as the plan.
The opposition party has also called on citizens to participate in a communicable election on Sunday – through local ballot boxes to be placed across Turkey – to show solidarity with Imamğlu.
In a message posted on its social media account on Saturday, Imamoglu described his arrest as “a summary” and accused the government of exploiting the judiciary and deteriorating the country’s economic problems.
“With your support, we will pass this coup first, then we will send the cleansing of those responsible,” he wrote at the X Social Media Platform.