Türkiye: İmamoğlu Officially Arrested

A Turkish court has ruled to arrest Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Orda.kz reports, citing Anadolu.

İmamoğlu faces charges over corruption and alleged ties to terrorist groups.

Meanwhile, journalist Ragıp Soylu has reported that the only remaining charges concern corruption.

The Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office is also seeking the arrest of 60 additional individuals concerning the case. The length of İmamoğlu’s sentence has not yet been disclosed.

This decision is a disgrace to our judicial system,
said Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş. 

On the evening of March 22, police again used water cannons and tear gas during protests in Istanbul and other Turkish cities. Some demonstrators claim rubber bullets were fired.

According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, 323 people have been detained. He also reported an alleged acid attack on a police officer in Istanbul’s Saraçhane district.

İmamoğlu, a leading figure in the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and considered President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s main political rival, was arrested on March 19. He has denied all charges.

Since the arrest, the Turkish lira has plunged to record lows, major social media platforms and messaging apps have been blocked, and protests continue across the country.

Original Author: Natalia Ovchinnikova