Students clash with police over detention of Istanbul mayor
According to Reuters, Turkey has arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is a significant opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on accusations of corruption and supporting a terrorist organization, which the primary opposition party has termed “a coup.”
Criticism Against Erdoğan
President Erdoğan is facing backlash over what many see as a suppression of opposition figures following the detention of İmamoğlu, who is being charged with corruption and terrorist affiliations.
Legal Charges and Detention Orders
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued detention orders for İmamoğlu and 106 other notable political figures. The charges include bribery, embezzlement, bid rigging, serious fraud, and unlawful data acquisition.
Allegations of Terrorism
İmamoğlu has been accused of colluding with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a Kurdish nationalist group recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, which has been involved in an insurgency against the Turkish government.
Opposition’s Response
Critics suspect that İmamoğlu’s arrest is not coincidental, especially as Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) has experienced defeats in recent local elections. Sinan Ciddi, a Turkey expert, asserted that İmamoğlu’s possible candidacy against Erdoğan for the presidency has likely influenced this arrest.
Official Rebuttal and Legal Independence
Turkish officials have countered claims of political motivations behind the arrests. The Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç denounced the significance placed on the connection between the judicial processes and Erdoğan’s leadership, affirming that the judiciary operates independently.
İmamoğlu’s Position and University Controversy
İmamoğlu expressed gratitude to global leaders and pledged to persist in his dedication to Turkey’s democracy. He emphasized his commitment not only to Istanbul residents but to the broader Turkish populace in promoting essential rights and freedoms. Meanwhile, Istanbul University revoked his diploma, a controversial move, as Turkish law necessitates a university degree for presidential candidates, raising concerns about academic autonomy.
