“Turkey woke up to a great betrayal today. The judicial process is not a judicial process. It is a complete extrajudicial execution,” he wrote on X.

Imamoglu urged his compatriots to take part in the primaries organized by his opposition CHP party. “Then meet at Sarachane square in Istanbul and at democracy squares in other cities and raise your voice,” he added.

“It is the day to take responsibility against those who stole the will of the people and to join the struggle,” Imamoglu wrote.

Tens of thousands of protesters have taken part in demonstrations and hundreds have been arrested since Imamoglu’s arrest on Wednesday.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is currently on his way to jail but also to the presidency, Ozgur Ozel, leader of the main opposition CHP party, was quoted as saying by the Reuters news agency.

Ozel added that the mayor was arrested because he posed an electoral threat to President Tayyip Erdogan.

The CHP leader made the comments after casting his vote in an internal CHP ballot to determine its presidential candidate for the next election in which Imamoglu was the only name on the list. Ozel also said that the CHP will appeal against the court’s decision to imprison Imamoglu.

An Istanbul court has rejected the formal arrest of opposition Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in a “terror” investigation, but upheld his detention in a graft investigation, according to an official statement.

“In connection with a financial investigation, it has been decided that the suspect, Ekrem İmamoglu, be remanded in custody on charges of establishing and leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, misconduct in office, unlawfully recording personal data, and bid rigging,” the court ruled.

“Although there is strong suspicion of assisting an armed terrorist organization, it has been deemed unnecessary to make a decision on this particular charge at this stage, as he has already been remanded in custody for financial crimes,” the court added.

Imamoglu was arrested on Wednesday in connection with both probes. The arrest sparked four days of massive protests in Turkey.

With protests continuing over the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Imangolu’s, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 323 people were arrested on Saturday evening. 

“No attempt to undermine public order will be allowed!” he added.

In Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and other cities, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in defiance of bans. More than 340 protesters were also arrested on Friday night.

After a court ruled that he be jailed pending trial in a corruption probe, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said he would not bow down.

“We will, hand in hand, uproot this blow, this black stain on our democracy… I am standing tall, I will not bow down,” Imamoglu said in a post on X.

Imamoglu also urged his supporters not to lose hope. “Never be sad, do not be depressed, do not lose hope,” he wrote.

He also invited 86 million of his countrymen to go to the polls and “proclaim to the whole world the struggle for democracy and justice.”

After a court ruled that he be jailed pending trial in a corruption probe, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said he would not bow down.

“We will, hand in hand, uproot this blow, this black stain on our democracy… I am standing tall, I will not bow down,” Imamoglu said in a post on X.

Imamoglu also urged his supporters not to lose hope. “Never be sad, do not be depressed, do not lose hope,” he wrote.

He also invited 86 million of his countrymen to go to the polls and “proclaim to the whole world the struggle for democracy and justice.”

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is currently on his way to jail but also to the presidency, Ozgur Ozel, leader of the main opposition CHP party, was quoted as saying by the Reuters news agency.

Ozel added that the mayor was arrested because he posed an electoral threat to President Tayyip Erdogan.

The CHP leader made the comments after casting his vote in an internal CHP ballot to determine its presidential candidate for the next election in which Imamoglu was the only name on the list. Ozel also said that the CHP will appeal against the court’s decision to imprison Imamoglu.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s formal arrest came as his Republican People’s Party (CHP) began holding a primary to nominate him as its presidential candidate despite his detention.

The opposition party also set up symbolic “solidarity boxes” nationwide, allowing non-members to show their support for the mayor.

Imamoglu is seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan‘ biggest rival. Presidential elections in Turkey are slated for 2028, but Erdogan will only be able to run again if a constitutional amendment is passed or if early elections are called.

Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, also a member of the CHP, criticized the lack of confidentiality in the proceedings against Imamoglu.

“Honestly, we are embarrassed on behalf of our legal system,” he said.