In a dramatic development in Turkey, the Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, seen as a key challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been arrested as part of an investigation into allegations of corruption and terror links. Prosecutors have also issued arrest warrants for approximately 100 other individuals, including Mr. Imamoglu’s close adviser, Murat Ongun, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency. The arrest has led to the imposition of a four-day ban on demonstrations in Istanbul and the closure of several roads, seemingly in an effort by the authorities to quell any potential protests. Turkey has also restricted access to social media platforms, including X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, as reported by Netblocks. Despite the restrictions, supporters of Mr. Imamoglu have begun to gather outside the police headquarters in Istanbul, signaling a significant escalation in the government’s crackdown on the opposition and dissenting voices. This comes just days before Mr. Imamoglu is expected to be nominated by his party as its presidential candidate. Critics argue that the crackdown follows significant losses by Mr. Erdogan’s ruling party in local elections last year, amid growing calls for early national elections. Human Rights Watch Turkey has condemned the arrests, labeling them as a “flagrant abuse of the justice system”. In response, government officials maintain that the judiciary operates independently and reject claims of political motives behind the arrests. Prior to his detention, Mr. Imamoglu accused the government of undermining the will of the people and urged his followers not to be discouraged by the situation. The arrest of Mr. Imamoglu and several others is based on suspicions of extortion, money laundering, and irregularities concerning tenders and procurements. His wife, Dilek Imamoglu, described the process as an “unlawful procedure” that was “very, very scary,” stating that police arrived before dawn and the mayor was taken away around 7:30 am. The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) views the arrest as a coup against their prospective candidate. Mr. Imamoglu’s broad appeal, transcending his party’s traditional base, has intensified the rivalry with Mr. Erdogan, making him a formidable competitor in future elections. A day before his arrest, Istanbul University annulled Mr. Imamoglu’s diploma, which, if not overturned, would disqualify him from running in the next presidential race due to the requirement for candidates to possess a degree. The next presidential vote is scheduled for 2028, but analysts suggest early elections are likely. President Erdogan, a conservative populist who has led Turkey for over two decades and is its longest-serving leader, faces mounting challenges and opposition to his rule.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/turkey-istanbul-mayor-and-main-rival-to-erdogan-arrested-days-before-nomination-13331781