Istanbul (AP) – Prosecutors Early Sunday Requated that Detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem ImamogluThe top challenger to president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, be formally arrested over allegations of corruption and terror links.
Protesters Shout Slogans AS They Protest Against The Arrest of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
A Court is now set to the decide Wheet for the popular opposition figure will be charged and jail.
The arrest this week of Imamoglu Has Intensified Political Tensions and Sparked Widespread Protests Across Turkey, with demonstroators Rallying in Multiple Cities to voice their opposition.
Many View His Arrest As A Politically Driven Attempt to Remove Imamoglu from the Next Presidential Race, Currently Scheduled For 2028. Government Officals Reject the Accusation and Say Turkey
Police Questioned Imamoglu for Around Five Hours on Saturday as Part of An Investigation into Allegations of Aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, OR PKK, the Republic Newspaper Reported. A day earlier he was wasioned for Four Hours over the corruption accounts. The Mayor Rejected All Charges During Both interrogations.
He was late to a courthouse for queasioning by prosecutors.
Authorities Barred Access to the Courthouse Using Barricades on Local Roads and Closing Nearby Metro Stations. Hundreds of Policy Officers and Over a Dosen Water Cannon Trucks Were Deployed. Still, Hundreds Gathered in Front of the Building Shouting: “Rights, Law, Justice!”
Largest Wave of Protests in Turkey in More Than Decade
Others GATHERED OUTSIDE
The demonstrations were Largely Peaceful But A Group of Protesters, Trying to Break Through Barricades to Reach Istanbul’s Main Square, Threw Flares, Stones and Other Objects at Police, WHich Responded with Pepper Spray. SOME DEMONSTRATATURS Said Rubber Bullets Were Fired.
A Protesters Holds Up A Flower in front of Riot Police Officers During A Protest Against The Arrest of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Anti Riot Police Officers Use Tear Gas to Clear Protesters Duration A Protest Against of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Outside Courthouse Courthouse, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 22, 2025.
Riot Police Use Pepper Spray to Clear A Protester Duraing A Protest Against The Arrest of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Police Used Water Cannons and Tear Gas to Scatter Demonstrators in Ankara.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya Said 323 People Were Detained Following Protests Saturday Night. Earlier, He Said: “There will no tolerance for THOSE WHO VIOLATE SOCIETAL ORDER, Threaten the Peace and Security, and Pursue Chaos and Provocation.”
Growing Protests in Reaction to the Arrest
Riot Police Clash Stand Amid A Cloud of Smoke Stand a Protest Against The Arrest of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 22, 2025.
Fireworks Thrown by Protesters Explode Over Riot Police Duration A Protest Against of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Riot Police Fire Tear Gas Pellets to Dispers Protesters Duration A Protest Against of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Imamoglu Was Detained on Wednesday Following a Dawn Raid on His Residence Over Allegations of Financial Crimes and Links to Kurdish Militants. Dozens of Other Prominent Figures, Inclument Two District Mayors, Were Also Detained.
The Istanbul Governor’s Office Announced it was expanding a ban on demons until march 26 and imposeed restrictions on the entry and exit of Vehicles.
Erdogan on Saturday Accused the Leadership of the Mayor’s Political Party of Turning it “into an apartical party.
HE ALSO Accused it of “Doing Everything to Disturb The PEACE, TO POLARIZE The Nation.”
Presidential primary to be held
Imamoglu’s Arrest Cames Just Days Before HE WAS Expected to be nomined as the opposition Republican People’s Party’s Presidential Candida in A Primary on Sunday. Special Has Said That The Primary, Where Around 1.5 Million Delegates Can Vote, Will Go AHEAD as Planned.
A Man, A Turkish Flag Draped on His Back, Stands in Front of Anti Riot Police Officers Duration Clashes in A Rally Against of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
The opposition party has also urged citizens to participate in a symbolic election on Sunday – Through Improvised Ballot Boxes to Be Set Up Across Turkey – to show solidarity with Imamoglu.
In a tweet post -postly before feel arrival at the couchouse, Imamoglu Urged the Publicard The Ballot Boxes For Sunday’s Primary, “Don’t Forge: They Are Very Afraid of You and Your Democratic Right to Vote.
In an Earlier Message, Imamoglu Described His Arrest As a “Coup” and Accused The Gudijiary and Worsning The Country’s Troubleted Economy.
