ISTANBUL (AP) — For the second night in a row, thousands assembled outside Istanbul’s city hall on Thursday to protest the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, a key opponent to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which many perceive as a politically motivated effort to eliminate a leading contender in the upcoming presidential election.
Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was taken into custody following a police raid at his home on Wednesday as part of investigations into alleged links to corruption and terrorism, heightening a crackdown on opposition voices. Several other high-profile individuals, including two district mayors, were also detained.
The arrest of this well-liked opposition leader has intensified worries about the state of democracy and triggered protests in Istanbul and other locations, despite a temporary ban on demonstrations and road closures in the city.
Additionally, this incident shocked the financial markets, leading to temporary trading suspensions on Wednesday to avert panic.
Mansur Yavas, the mayor of Ankara and another prominent opposition figure, attended the rally in Istanbul, urging all opposition parties to unite against “injustices.” Meanwhile, police intervened to prevent a group of young protesters from breaching a barricade as they attempted to march towards Taksim Square. In Ankara, authorities deployed tear gas to stop students from proceeding down a central avenue.
Erdogan’s Party Dismisses Claims of Interference
Critics interpret the crackdown as a strategy by Erdogan to retain power following significant losses for the ruling party in last year’s local elections. Government representatives refute claims that legal actions against opposition figures are politically driven and assert the independence of the judiciary.
Omer Celik, spokesperson for Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party, countered allegations from the opposition regarding the detentions, emphasizing respect for the legal process. He articulated, “A politician should adhere to the judicial process,” underscoring a lack of information about the specifics of the legal case.
In his first remarks regarding Imamoglu’s arrest, Erdogan accused the opposition of failing to counter the allegations with any substantial evidence or legal arguments. He remarked that the opposition has refrained from genuinely addressing the accusations presented by the judiciary. Earlier, the Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, stated that authorities have arrested dozens for distributing “provocative” content related to the mayor’s detainment.
International Reactions
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz voiced serious concerns regarding Imamoglu’s arrest, labeling it a “very, very bad sign” for Turkey’s relationship with the European Union and for Turkey’s democracy. He called for an end to the situation and advocated for fair competition between the opposition and the government instead of legal actions against the opposition.
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