Turkish authorities detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on Wednesday on charges including corruption, aiding a terrorist group, and leading a criminal organization. The Republican People’s Party (CHP) condemned the arrest, calling it politically motivated.
Prosecutors allege İmamoğlu and his associates collaborated with the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), a group linked to the PKK, during the March 31, 2024, elections. Authorities claim 18 city council members with suspected ties have been detained. The probe also includes financial crimes, with İmamoğlu and 99 others accused of "leading a criminal organization," "bribery," and "fraud." Officials say 87 people, including İmamoğlu and his advisor Murat Ongun, are in custody.
The detention comes after Istanbul University annulled İmamoğlu’s degree, a move that, if upheld, could bar him from running in the 2028 presidential election. In a video posted on his X account, İmamoğlu vowed to continue his political fight despite the charges.
Government officials defend the investigation as a necessary legal process, while opposition figures claim it is an attempt to sideline a key political rival. Meanwhile, prosecutors clarified that no investigation has been launched into social media posts about the case but warned that provocative or illegal online activity is being monitored.
The case remains ongoing, with further developments expected.
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