ALBAWABA - Turkish authorities detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who is a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Anadolu Agency reported citing Turkish prosecutors on Wednesday.
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office further added in a statement that an arrest warrant was issued against the Istanbul Mayor and 99 others, the state-run news agency noted. Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested inside his house, sources told AFP.
Local media reported Istanbul Mayor and 99 others were arrested with links to a corruption inquiry.
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said: "İBB Mayor İmamoğlu and many people forced businessmen to give money, made unjust gains by acting with some businessmen, laundered the money they obtained from crime by making purchases and sales through pawns, and used civilians referred to as 'secret safes' in the transfer and collection of money."
Ekrem Imamoglu posted a video on his X account where he was seen wearing his suit and speaking to his followers that hundreds of policemen were dispatched and "arrived at his door." He said: "I entrust myself to the people."
AFP also mentioned that his detention was a day after a Turkish university revoked the mayor's university degree, claiming it was falsely obtained.
CNN reported that the arrest was also ahead of the scheduled primary election by the main opposition party "Republican People’s Party (CHP)", where Imamoglu was expected to be chosen as its presidential candidate to compete with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
