Ankara: Turkish authorities have detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
He is a key opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Imamoglu faces corruption and terrorism-related allegations.
Detention orders were also issued for nearly 100 associates.
His press adviser, Murat Ongun, was among those detained.
Political Tensions
The detentions happened before an opposition primary election.
Imamoglu was expected to be nominated as a presidential candidate.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel called it a “coup attempt.”
Protests erupted as police surrounded Imamoglu’s home.
The mayor condemned the operation in a social media video.
Public Reaction
Imamoglu accused authorities of undermining democracy.
He claimed Istanbul’s 16 million residents were being targeted.
Critics see this as an attack on Erdogan’s political rivals.
Erdogan’s party suffered major losses in local elections.
CHP members say the government is silencing opposition leaders.
Restrictions Imposed
Istanbul authorities banned demonstrations until March 23.
Some metro stations and roads were closed downtown.
Social media access was restricted across Turkey.
NetBlocks confirmed limited access to X, YouTube, and TikTok.
Internet censorship intensified amid the political crisis.
Market Impact
Turkey’s financial markets reacted negatively to the news.
The Turkish lira dropped over 10%, reaching record lows.
It traded above 40 per dollar after the mayor’s arrest.
Stock trading was halted as markets plunged.
The BIST 100 index fell 6.7% early in the day.
Legal Allegations
Authorities claim Imamoglu is linked to criminal organizations.
Charges include bribery, extortion, and aggravated fraud.
He is accused of aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Turkey considers the PKK a terrorist organization.
His wife dismissed the allegations as “laughable.”
Degree Controversy
Istanbul University revoked Imamoglu’s degree.
Officials cited irregularities in his academic records.
Without a degree, he would be disqualified from running.
Imamoglu called the decision illegal and politically motivated.
He vowed to challenge the ruling in court.
Election Speculation
Imamoglu won mayoral elections in 2019 and 2024.
Turkey’s next presidential vote is set for 2028.
Analysts believe Erdogan may call for early elections.
This could allow Erdogan to bypass term limits.
The opposition sees this as a strategic move.
Mayor’s Defiance
Imamoglu vowed to fight the charges against him.
He called the allegations “huge slander.”
He promised to hold officials accountable.
Supporters fear further government crackdowns.
Political tensions in Turkey continue to escalate.
