Istanbul (Eurotoday) – Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was jailed on Sunday pending trial on a corruption charge by a Turkish court, state media and other broadcasters reported.
Imamoglu, President Erdogan’s main political rival, is being sent to prison following criticism from the main opposition party, European leaders, and thousands of protesters. Many have condemned the actions against him as politically motivated and undemocratic.
The court stated that Imamoglu and at least 20 others were jailed as part of a corruption investigation, one of two probes launched against him last week.
The court decided to release the mayor under judicial control measures over a separate terror-related charge, according to broadcasters Halk TV and AHaber. This decision complicates the government’s efforts to appoint a trustee to govern Turkey’s largest city.
Imamoglu, who leads Erdogan in some polls, has denied the charges, calling them “unimaginable accusations and slanders.” He was chosen as the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) candidate for next year’s presidential election, challenging Erdogan’s ruling alliance.
Is Imamoglu’s imprisonment politically motivated?
No general election is scheduled before 2028. However, if Erdogan, who has been in power for 22 years, wishes to run again, parliament must endorse an earlier election, as he would otherwise reach his term limit. On Sunday, Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas of the CHP condemned Imamoglu’s imprisonment, calling it a disgrace to the judicial system.
The government insists that the investigations are not politically driven and emphasizes the judiciary’s independence. Authorities have also warned against protests, particularly after extending a nationwide street gathering ban for another four days on Saturday.
On Saturday, thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Istanbul municipality and the main courthouse. Police forces were dispatched to both locations, using tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the crowd, which responded by throwing firecrackers and other objects.
While most protests have remained peaceful, clashes occurred for a third consecutive night in Ankara and the western coastal province of Izmir, where police used water cannons against demonstrators. Early Sunday, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that Turkish authorities had detained 323 individuals in connection with the protests.
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