According to CNN Turk, the mayor of Istanbul was detained as part of an investigation into corruption and links with organizations banned in the country, particularly the Kurdistan Workers' Party. A search was conducted in his home, after which he was taken to the Istanbul Security Directorate. His press secretary Murat Ongun was also arrested, and warrants were issued for the detention of 106 more city hall employees.
From March 19 to 23, all rallies and demonstrations are banned in Istanbul. The country has restricted access to X, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram*.
The country's Prosecutor General's Office claims that during the investigation, facts of corruption and illegal tenders were discovered. According to the agency, Imamoglu and several businessmen received illegal profits, laundered money, and transferred funds to a secret account.
Imamoglu himself stated that the authorities are trying to usurp the will of the people and use the police "as tools for this evil," as Turkey faces a "great tyranny." Before his detention, the mayor managed to write on social media X that the hour is near when those who made this decision "will be held accountable before history and justice." "The will of the people cannot be silenced by intimidation or illegal actions. I remain steadfast, relying not only on the 16 million residents of Istanbul but also on the 86 million citizens of Turkey, as well as on all who defend democracy and justice around the world. I stand firm in my fight for fundamental rights and freedoms," wrote the mayor of Istanbul.
Imamoglu is considered the main political opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He represents the centrist Republican People's Party, but he is also supported by the pro-Kurdish party "People's Equality and Democracy." Imamoglu was elected mayor of Istanbul twice, in 2019 and 2023, defeating candidates from Erdogan's Justice and Development Party.
Previously, Istanbul University declared Imamoglu's diploma invalid — because of this, the politician will not be able to run for president in 2028. The university cited violations that Imamoglu allegedly committed in the early 1990s.
Photo: AP
* Owned by Meta, declared "extremist" in Russia.