Turkish officials have apprehended Ekrem Imamoglu, the chief political adversary of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Mayor of Istanbul, in relation to a probe into corruption and alleged ties to terrorism.
According to the state-run Anadolu Agency, prosecutors have also sought warrants for approximately 100 other individuals, which include journalists and businesspeople.
Imamoglu’s spouse, Dilek, revealed to the private television channel Now that police visited their home early Wednesday morning, and Imamoglu was taken into custody around 7:30 a.m.
In an effort to quell potential protests that could arise in light of the arrest, authorities have prohibited demonstrations in Istanbul for four days. The Netblocks internet observatory reported that Turkey also restricted access to several social media platforms early Wednesday.
Despite the ban on protests, a group of supporters assembled outside the police station where Imamoglu was detained, with larger gatherings planned in other locations.
Revocation of Imamoglu’s Diploma
The timing of Imamoglu’s detention coincided with Istanbul University’s announcement of the revocation of his degree due to irregularities, significantly undermining his aspirations to run for president in the upcoming election. A candidate for the presidency is required to possess a university degree.
The university declared diplomas for Imamoglu and 27 others “void” due to “obvious error.”
