The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, was questioned by the police on terrorism-related charges on Saturday, just one day following his inquiry regarding accusations of corruption.
His detention earlier this week ignited
protests across Turkey
, with numerous protesters seeing his arrest as a politically motivated move aimed at removing a major competitor from the upcoming presidential election.
The Turkish Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikanya, stated that 343 individuals were apprehended during demonstrations nationwide on Friday evening. He emphasized, saying, “We will not tolerate anyone attempting to disrupt social order, endanger public tranquility and safety, or incite disorder and agitation.”
Local media outlets have stated that the police interrogated Imamoglu for approximately five hours as part of an inquiry into claims of supporting the banned Kurdistan Worker’s Party, also known as PKK. Previously, on Friday, he underwent questioning for about four hours concerning accusations of corruption.
Shortly before his transfer to the courthouse, regional officials shut down adjacent streets and a significant contingent of law enforcement officers was deployed to the vicinity.
Imamoglu is a prominent opposition leader viewed as a key rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He has been detained.
on Wednesday
Following a morning raid at his home due to accusations of financial misconduct and ties to Kurdish militant groups.
The mayor refuted all accusations made against him during each of the two interrogations.
Many view the arrest as a politically driven attempt to remove a popular opposition figure and key challenger to Erdogan in the next presidential race, currently scheduled for 2028.
His detention ignited demonstrations that have progressively grown more fervent.
On Friday, authorities in Istanbul employed pepper spray, tear gas, and rubber bullets to repel several hundred demonstrators attempting to breach a barrier near the city’s ancient aqueduct, as the protestors threw flares, rocks, and various items at law enforcement officials.
Government officials dismiss claims that legal moves against opposition members are politically driven and assert that Turkey’s judiciary functions autonomously.
