Wed Mar 19 07:40:00 UTC 2025: ## İstanbul Mayor İmamoğlu Detained Amidst Corruption and Terrorism Allegations

**Istanbul, Turkey** – Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained early Sunday morning along with over 100 others, including several municipal officials and journalist İsmail Saymaz, in a sweeping operation linked to corruption and terrorism allegations. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced the arrests, stating that İmamoğlu is being investigated on two separate fronts.

One investigation centers on allegations of a criminal organization, bribery, embezzlement, fraud, and rigging public tenders within the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB). The prosecutor’s office described İmamoğlu as a suspected leader of this criminal organization. Other İBB officials, including Murat Ongun, were also named as suspected organization leaders.

A separate investigation alleges that İmamoğlu and six others, including İBB Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat and Şişli Mayor Resul Ekrem Şahan, aided the PKK/KCK terrorist organization. This investigation stems from a “city reconciliation” initiative.

The arrests triggered widespread condemnation from the opposition. CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu called the actions a “coup attempt” aimed at preventing İmamoğlu from potentially running for president. Other opposition party leaders and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş echoed these sentiments, decrying the arrests as an assault on democracy and the rule of law. DEM Party called for the immediate release of those detained.

Following the arrests, journalist İsmail Saymaz was also detained, accused of inciting citizens against law enforcement through social media posts related to the Gezi Park protests.

The Istanbul Governorate imposed a four-day ban on gatherings, protests, and press releases, citing the need to maintain public order. Access to several social media platforms was also reportedly restricted.

İmamoğlu, in a video posted to social media before his arrest, stated that hundreds of police officers had surrounded his home and that he was facing “great tyranny” but would not yield. His planned political rally was cancelled. Despite the arrests, CHP announced that a presidential primary election, where İmamoğlu is the sole candidate, will proceed on Sunday. The situation remains highly volatile.

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