Skip next section Court rejects Imamoglu arrest in ‘terror’ probe, upholds graft arrest
03/23/2025March 23, 2025
Court rejects Imamoglu arrest in ‘terror’ probe, upholds graft arrest
An Istanbul court has rejected the formal arrest of opposition Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in a “terror” investigation, but upheld his detention in a graft investigation, according to an official statement.
“In connection with a financial investigation, it has been decided that the suspect, Ekrem İmamoglu, be remanded in custody on charges of establishing and leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, misconduct in office, unlawfully recording personal data, and bid rigging,” the court ruled.
“Although there is strong suspicion of assisting an armed terrorist organization, it has been deemed unnecessary to make a decision on this particular charge at this stage, as he has already been remanded in custody for financial crimes,” the court added.
Imamoglu was arrested on Wednesday in connection with both probes. The arrest sparked four days of massive protests in Turkey.
https://p.dw.com/p/4s9AU
Skip next section Over 300 protesters arrested on Saturday evening, interior ministry says
03/23/2025March 23, 2025
Over 300 protesters arrested on Saturday evening, interior ministry says
With protests continuing over the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamgolu, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 323 people were arrested on Saturday evening.
“No attempt to undermine public order will be allowed!” he added.
In Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and other cities, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in defiance of bans. More than .
https://p.dw.com/p/4s99B
Skip next section Imamoglu: ‘I am standing tall, I will not bow down’
03/23/2025March 23, 2025
Imamoglu: ‘I am standing tall, I will not bow down’
After a court ruled that he be jailed pending trial in a corruption probe, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said he would not bow down.
“We will, hand in hand, uproot this blow, this black stain on our democracy… I am standing tall, I will not bow down,” Imamoglu said in a post on X.
Imamoglu also urged his supporters not to lose hope. “Never be sad, do not be depressed, do not lose hope,” he wrote.
He also invited 86 million of his countrymen to go to the polls and “proclaim to the whole world the struggle for democracy and justice.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4s98D
Skip next section DW ask Turkish students why they support opposition
03/23/2025March 23, 2025
DW ask Turkish students why they support opposition
The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on Wednesday has sparked some of the largest acts of civil disobedience in Turkey in more than a decade. The protesters include many university students who fear their country is taking an even more authoritarian turn.
https://p.dw.com/p/4s97A
Skip next section Imamoglu’s party sets up ‘solidarity boxes’ across Turkey
03/23/2025March 23, 2025
Imamoglu’s party sets up ‘solidarity boxes’ across Turkey
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s formal arrest came as his Republican People’s Party (CHP) began holding a primary to nominate him as its presidential candidate .
The opposition party also set up symbolic “solidarity boxes” nationwide, allowing non-members to show their support for the mayor.
Imamoglu is seen as biggest rival. Presidential elections in Turkey are slated for 2028, but Erdogan will only be able to run again if a constitutional amendment is passed or if early elections are called.
Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, also a member of the CHP, criticized the lack of confidentiality in the proceedings against Imamoglu.
“Honestly, we are embarrassed on behalf of our legal system,” he said.
https://p.dw.com/p/4s92b
Skip next section Protests in wake of Imamoglu arrest
03/23/2025March 23, 2025
Protests in wake of Imamoglu arrest
Turkey has been facing anti-government protests since .
The 53-year-old mayor was detained with dozens of other prominent figures, including two district mayors.
On Friday evening, protests organizers said around 300,000 protesters took part in the rally outside the Istanbul City Hall. On the fringes of the rally, demonstrators clashed with riot police as the police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray. Read our .
The opposition sees Imamoglu’s detention as a .
https://p.dw.com/p/4s92B
Skip next section Erdogan rival jailed on graft charges
03/23/2025March 23, 2025
Erdogan rival jailed on graft charges
A jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu pending trial on Sunday, according to the state news agency.
Imamoglu, a potential challenger to Turkey’s longtime conservative , has been charged with corruption. Imamoglu is also suspected of terrorism due to alleged links with Kurdish militants, though any terror-related charges are to be addressed in a separate trial.
On Sunday, the court said Imamoglu and at least 20 others were jailed as part of a corruption investigation.
His supporters say the arrest was a politically motivated attempt to remove a popular challenger to Erdogan’s more than two decades of rule.
https://p.dw.com/p/4s91x
The post Turkey updates: Court remands Imamoglu on corruption charge appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
