Istanbul Mayor faces multiple investigations, opposition calls it a political crackdown
\n istanbul
\nTurkish authorities have detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, belonging to the opposition Republican People\u2019s Party (CHP), on corruption and terrorism-related charges, sparking outrage from the opposition party.
\nImamoglu, was arrested Wednesday, just days before his party was expected to officially name him as their challenger to Erdogan in future elections.
\nThe CHP condemned the move, calling it \u201ca coup attempt against our next president.\u201d
\nMultiple investigations targeting Imamoglu
\nThe Istanbul prosecutor\u2019s office has launched two separate investigations against Imamoglu, accusing him of:
\nCorruption and bribery
\nLeading a criminal organization
\nTender rigging in municipal contracts
\nAiding the Kurdistan Workers\u2019 Party (PKK), which is classified as a terrorist group
\nAccording to prosecutors, the first investigation involves 100 suspects, including journalists and businesspeople, in connection with fraudulent tenders awarded by the Istanbul Municipality.
\nThe second case accuses Imamoglu and six others of providing material support to the PKK terror group. In its 40-year terror campaign against Turkiye, the PKK \u2013 listed as a terrorist organization by T\u00fcrkiye, the US, and EU \u2013 has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, infants and the elderly.
\nImamoglu vows to fight charges
\nFollowing his detention, Imamoglu posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), saying he would not back down in the face of pressure.
\n\u201cI will not give up. I will continue to stand tall against these injustices,\u201d he said.
\nIn a separate development, Istanbul University annulled Imamoglu\u2019s degree just one day before his detention. If upheld, this move could disqualify him from running in Turkiye\u2019s presidential elections, raising further concerns among opposition leaders who claim it part of a coordinated effort to sideline Erdogan\u2019s strongest challenger.
\nThe next presidential election is scheduled for 2028, but analysts believe Erdogan may call for an early vote if he decides to seek another term. Under Turkiye\u2019s constitution, Erdogan can only run again if parliament calls an early election before his current term expires.
\nAuthorities ban protests in Istanbul
\nAmid rising tensions, the Istanbul governor\u2019s office has imposed a four-day ban on all protests and public gatherings across the city.
\nThe CHP and other opposition leaders have condemned the crackdown, calling it an authoritarian move to suppress political opponents ahead of elections.
\nMeanwhile, Erdogan\u2019s government has defended the arrests, insisting they are part of ongoing anti-corruption and counterterrorism efforts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Istanbul Mayor faces multiple investigations, opposition calls it a political crackdown istanbul Turkish authorities have detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, belonging to the opposition Republican People\u2019s Party (CHP), on corruption and terrorism-related charges, sparking outrage from the opposition party. Imamoglu, was arrested Wednesday, just days before his party was expected to officially name him as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":468084,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-468069","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n