Türkiye arrests Istanbul mayor upon court decision

Türkiye's Istanbul Criminal Court has ruled to place Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu under arrest.

The decision comes as part of an ongoing investigation into serious charges against the prominent politician, paving the way for his imminent transfer to prison, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media. 

This move follows the court’s approval of a prosecutor’s request to detain İmamoğlu during the investigation, which is set to delve into multiple allegations. İmamoğlu, who has become one of the most influential figures in Turkish politics, is facing accusations related to leadership and membership in a criminal organisation. The charges against him include bribery, fraud, illegal acquisition of personal data, and manipulation of public tenders.

These allegations have raised serious concerns about the integrity of local governance in Istanbul, as well as the potential involvement of public officials in illicit activities. In a separate investigation, İmamoğlu is also facing accusations of providing support to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey. Along with İmamoğlu, Şişli district head Resul Emrah Şahan, Istanbul's deputy secretary general Mahir Polat, and Mehmet Ali Çalışkan, the director of the Reform Institute, are implicated in this investigation. 

The charges have sparked intense political debate, particularly concerning the mayor's relationship with the PKK and the alleged links between political figures and terrorist organisations. The arrest of Mayor İmamoğlu has led to widespread protests across Türkiye. On the night of March 21, demonstrators defied protest bans and rallied in cities nationwide, expressing their outrage at his detention. In Istanbul, hundreds of thousands gathered outside City Hall, while large crowds also assembled in other major cities, including the capital Ankara and the Aegean city of Izmir. 

Earlier, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya noted that 323 individuals were arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the staff of Istanbul metropolitan municipality. The operation, which took place late on the evening of March 22, is part of broader efforts to uncover potential misconduct within the municipality. Yerlikaya emphasised that authorities are committed to maintaining public order and will not tolerate any actions that threaten it.

By Naila Huseynova