Istanbul’s Mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, stated that he will not yield following a court ruling to jail him pending trial amid a corruption investigation.
“Together, we will eradicate this blow, this dark stain on our democracy… I stand tall, and I will not yield,” Mr. İmamoğlu expressed in a post on X.
Four days after his detention incited Turkey’s most severe unrest in over a decade, a court officially placed him under arrest in a corruption inquiry.
The mayor is among 100 individuals under investigation for corruption, and additionally faces inquiries in a second case linked to “terror-related” allegations, with a court ruling on that expected in the coming hours.
“Despite strong suspicions of aiding an armed terrorist organization, his arrest for financial crimes has already been decided, so (the arrest) is not considered necessary at this time,” the court remarked.
Mr. İmamoğlu has rejected the allegations, labeling them as “unimaginable accusations and slanders.”
Ballot papers for Ekrem İmamoğlu, the sole candidate from the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), during the presidential primaries at a polling station in Istanbul.
Yesterday, thousands rallied outside the Istanbul municipality and the main courthouse, with hundreds of police deployed at both sites using tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the crowds, which threw firecrackers and other items at them.
Protesters also clashed with police in the western coastal province of Izmir and the capital, Ankara, for the third consecutive night, with police employing water cannons against the crowds.
Turkish authorities have detained 323 individuals amidst the protests.
Demonstrations in Dublin
There have also been protests in Dublin.
Supporters of Mr. İmamoğlu have gathered on O’Connell St daily since Wednesday and are planning another rally in St Stephen’s Green today.
A spokesperson for a group named the Democratic Türkiye Community in Ireland accused the authorities of converting Turkey into an “open-air prison” and termed Mr. İmamoğlu’s arrest a “political coup.”
Supporters of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on O’Connell St earlier this week.
The Turkish government has denied any influence over the situation, asserting that the judiciary is independent.
According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, Turkish authorities have detained 323 individuals during the protests concerning the investigation.
“Any attempts to disrupt public order will not be tolerated,” stated the minister in a statement.
Mr. İmamoğlu, 54, who is leading in various opinion polls against the Turkish leader, was expected to be announced as the CHP’s official presidential candidate shortly.
The next elections are scheduled for 2028, but Mr. Erdoğan has reached his two-term limit as president after previously serving as prime minister.
If he wishes to run again, he must call for an early election or amend the constitution.
The president, who has been in power for more than 22 years, has accused the CHP of attempting to “provoke” the nation while asserting that they will not tolerate vandalism.
