Following the mayor's arrest, the main opposition party of Turkey has called the move as a "coup attempt against our next president."
Turkish authorities have detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist group. The arrest of Imamoglu, who is the main political rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, comes as part of Erdogan's crackdown on opposition figures in the country.
Following the mayor's arrest, the main opposition party of Turkey has called the move as a "coup attempt against our next president."
Along with the Istanbul Mayor, a number of his aides were also detained by authorities. As per reports, prosecutors have stated that arrest warrants have been issued for over 100 people.
In a video posted on social media before his arrest, the Istanbul mayor accused the Erdogan government of "usurping the will of the people."
"We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged,” he added.
Turkey is set to head to the polls in 2028 to elect its next president. While the elections are expected three years later, chances of early elections remain.
Imamoglu's arrest also comes days before the opposition Republican People라이브 바카라 Party (CHP) was scheduled to hold a primary election, where the mayor was expected to be chosen as its presidential candidate.
His detention also comes a day after Istanbul University annulled Imamoglu's degree, which would block him from running in presidential elections in 2028.
Imamoglu has been accused of extortion, money laundering and irregularities concerning tenders and procurements. Furthermore, the mayor has also been suspected of aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), which have been deemed as terrorist organisations by Turkey.
Ekrem Imamoglu is a Turkish businessman, real estate developer and politician serving as the 32nd mayor of Istanbul.
He assumed office as the mayor of the key city in 2019 after he gained a narrow lead in the mayoral race. However, his first win was annulled by the Supreme Electoral Court.
After fresh elections in June 2019, Imamoglu was reelected as mayor after he won by a margin of 800,000 votes.
However, in 2022, Imamoglu was accused of "insulting electoral officers" and sentenced to 2 years, 7 months, and 15 days of prison and barred from politics. This political ban is yet to be enacted, due to which, the politican was reelected in 2024.
He won the 2024 mayoral race as well and was reelected. Due to his popularity in Istanbul, Imamoglu emerged as a possible presidential candidate.