Turkey Detains 37 People Over Social Media Posts on Detained Istanbul Mayor

Imamoglu, President Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival, was taken on Wednesday on charges including graft and aiding a terrorist group, a move the main opposition party condemned as a “coup attempt against the next president”.

Thousands of protesters have taken to streets and university campuses in various cities including Istanbul and the capital Ankara, with crowds chanting anti-government slogans, despite a four-day ban on gatherings imposed after Imamoglu’s arrest.

The minister added that 18.6 million posts about Imamoglu were shared on X within 24 hours of his detention. The popular 54-year-old leads Erdogan in some opinion polls.

CRACKDOWN

“They hastily detained our mayor, whom we elected with our votes,” said Ali Izar, an opposition supporter on his way to work in central Istanbul. “I do not think this is a democratic practice, and I condemn it.”

Turkey also seized a construction company co-owned by Imamoglu, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s office said.

The prosecutor’s office said control of Imamoglu Construction, Trade and Industry was taken over by a court, based on financial crime investigation reports.

Istanbul municipality staff made up the bulk of the 105 people arrested along with Imamoglu.

“The people will give their response again,” said another Imamoglu supporter, Yusuf Demirci, 34, in Istanbul. “As you saw yesterday, everyone is on the streets. Everyone is in the squares. The squares and the ballot box will be the result of this. I say, the righteous one will win.”

Source: Reuters