In a dramatic turn of events, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has been arrested on serious corruption charges, according to the Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency. The allegations involve bribery, corruption, qualified fraud, illegally obtaining personal data for profit, and tampering with a tender.
Imamoglu, who had been held in police custody at the Istanbul Police Headquarters since his detention on Wednesday, was escorted to the main courthouse around 7 p.m. local time on Saturday amidst heavy security. He has consistently denied all charges.
The arrest is linked to two ongoing investigations—one concerning corruption and another investigating his alleged role in aiding an outlawed organization designated as a terrorist group by Türkiye, the European Union, and the United States. Despite the serious nature of these charges, he was released under judicial control in connection with the terrorism investigation.
This event follows his decisive re-election in the 2024 local elections, where he defeated his rival Murat Kurum from the ruling Justice and Development Party. Further elevating his political journey, Imamoglu applied to the Republican People’s Party to be its presidential candidate for the 2028 elections, with party members slated to vote on his candidacy on Sunday.
The unfolding saga highlights the complexities of local governance amid corruption probes and ambitious political aspirations, stirring debate among political enthusiasts and a globally connected audience.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
