Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, faced police questioning for a second consecutive day on Saturday, delving into serious terror-related allegations just a day after being interrogated regarding corruption claims. His apprehension has ignited widespread protests throughout Turkey, with many perceiving his detention as a politically motivated maneuver aimed at removing a significant contender from the upcoming presidential elections.
Details of the arrest and ensuing protests
Imamoglu, a prominent figure within the opposition Republican People’s Party, was detained earlier this week during a dawn raid at his residence, accused of financial crimes and purported connections to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). As he was transported to the courthouse, local authorities implemented road closures and deployed a significant police presence in the vicinity.
During his latest interrogation, Imamoglu was questioned for approximately five hours as part of an investigation concerning his alleged support for the PKK. This follows a four-hour inquiry on Friday regarding the corruption allegations. He has consistently denied all accusations presented to him.
Government response and protest crackdown
The situation escalated on Friday night as Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 343 individuals had been detained nationwide during the protests. He asserted, “There will be no tolerance for those who seek to violate societal order, threaten the people’s peace and security and pursue chaos and provocation.”
The unrest reached a peak in Istanbul, where law enforcement employed pepper spray, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of protesters attempting to breach barricades near the city’s historic aqueduct. The demonstrators retaliated by throwing flares, stones, and other objects at the police.
Imamoglu is recognized as a key challenger to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, particularly in the upcoming presidential race, which is slated for 2028. While government officials steadfastly deny any political motivations behind the legal actions against opposition figures, insisting on the independence of Turkey’s judiciary, public sentiment remains wary, viewing the mayor’s arrest as a strategic effort to diminish political competition.