Key points
- Prosecutors have issued warrants for Imamoglu
- Critics say crackdown follows significant losses by ruling party in local polls last year
- Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc says the arrests had nothing to do with the government
ISLAMABAD: Turkish police on Wednesday arrested Istanbul’s mayor and several other leaders as part of investigations into alleged corruption and terror links, according to Western and local media reports.
The state-run Anadolu Agency reported that prosecutors issued warrants for Ekrem Imamoglu and some 100 other people.
Police personnel raided his residence near dawn and arrested the mayor at around 7:30 am, his wife claimed. Among those detained was Imamoglu’s close aide, Murat Ongun and two district mayors, according to AP.
Govt rejects opposition claim
Critics say the crackdown follows significant losses by ruling party in local polls last year amid increasing calls for early national elections. Government officials insist that the courts operate independently and reject claims that legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated, according to media reports.
“We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged,” AP cited Imamoglu as saying.
People gathered at Istanbul’s police headquarters, carrying posters of the mayor and banners with his photo around their shoulders.
We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged.” – Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
Others chanted slogans and raised their fists in the air as riot police cordoned off the facility, media reports suggest.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc told reporters the arrests had nothing to do with the government. “Linking investigations and cases initiated by the judiciary to our President is, at best, presumptuous and inappropriate,” he said.
