Turkish authorities have arrested numerous individuals for their “provocative” social media posts following the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on Wednesday. Imamoglu is among over a hundred people apprehended on charges of corruption and supporting terrorist groups, leading to protests in Istanbul and the capital, Ankara.
A member of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), Imamoglu is a significant rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was to be announced as a presidential candidate for the 2028 elections shortly afterward. Critics label his arrest as “a coup” and intend to organize further demonstrations despite a four-day ban on protests imposed by Istanbul’s governor.
On Thursday morning, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya revealed that police identified 261 “suspect account managers” online who allegedly posted content that incited public hatred, hostility, and criminal activities. Thirty-seven suspects were arrested, but the protests continued undeterred. Tens of thousands gathered outside Istanbul’s city hall on Wednesday, with some demanding the government’s resignation and others chanting “Erdogan, dictator.” CHP leader Ozgur Ozel addressed the crowds and called for them to “fill the streets,” with a planned address outside the hall on Thursday at 2030 local time (1730 GMT).
Police used force to control the demonstrations, firing tear gas and pepper spray in several areas. In addition to the detentions, Turkish authorities have restricted social media usage nationwide, including the use of WhatsApp, according to internet watchdog Netblocks.
Early Wednesday morning, dozens of police officers raided Imamoglu’s house in Istanbul, and he was one of 106 individuals detained. The arrests came as part of a broader nationwide crackdown on opposition politicians, municipalities, journalists, and figures in the entertainment industry.
Prosecutors seized a construction company owned by the Istanbul mayor as part of an investigation into alleged financial crimes. Opposition figures argue that the arrests are politically motivated, but the justice ministry denies any connection to President Erdogan and emphasizes their judicial independence.
Imamoglu won a second term as Istanbul’s mayor in local elections last year, a first-time defeat for President Erdogan’s party across the country. The elections were also a personal setback for Erdogan, who rose to power as the mayor of Istanbul. Erdogan, who has been in office for the past 22 years as both prime minister and president, cannot run for office again in 2028 unless he amends the constitution.
The CHP’s presidential candidate selection, with Imamoglu running unopposed, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, and opposition groups have called for demonstrations on that day.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpv43dd3vlgo
