Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu appeared before authorities for questioning on terror and corruption related charges on Saturday.
Hundreds of supporters of detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu gathered outside of a courthouse on Saturday, where he was being further questioned over allegations of corruption and terror links.
Imamoglu was arrested on Wednesday after a dawn raid of his residence. His detention sparked public outcry and triggered widespread protests across Turkey.
He was expected to officially become the largest opposition party’s – Republican People’s Party, or CHP – presidential nominee on Sunday in the party’s Primary.
Many view his arrest as politically motivated and accuse President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of attempting to eliminate his biggest political rival from the next presidential race, scheduled for 2028. Officials reject the accusation and say Turkey’s courts are free and operate independently from the government.
Police questioned Imamoglu for around five hours an Saturday as part of an investigation into allegations of aiding the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party – or PKK – according to Turkish media outlets.
He was then transferred to a courthouse for questioning by prosecutors along with some 90 other people who were also detained with him.
A day earlier, the Istanbul mayor was also questioned for several hours over the corruption accusations levelled against him, with prosecutors accusing him of exploiting his position for financial gain. Imamoglu rejected all charges during both interrogations.
Authorities barred access to the courthouse using barricades on local roads and closing nearby metro stations. Hundreds of police officers and over a dozen water cannon trucks were deployed to secure the vicinity, but hundreds of protesters managed to make their way to the building, where they protested outside, chanting “Rights, law, justice!”
Protesters clash with police
Clashes erupted between police and protesters in Istanbul on Saturday during a fourth day of demonstrations following Imamoglu’s detention.
Police used pepper spray and tear gas to disperse crowds and push back hundreds of protesters who were hurling flares, stones and other objects at officers.
The Istanbul governor’s office announced it was expanding a ban on demonstrations until 26 March, and imposed restrictions on the entry and exit of vehicles deemed to be transporting people “likely to participate in unlawful activities”; protesting.
Erdogan accuses the opposition of inciting chaos
Erdogan addressed the protests that have taken part across the country over the past four days calling for Imamoglu’s release, in an Iftar – the meal eaten to break fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan – speech.
The Turkish president accused the opposition of trying to create “an atmosphere of tension and chaos”.
“I believe it is worth reminding once again that the days of going out into the streets, taking left-wing organizations, extremists, and Vandals with you, and threatening the national will are now behind us,” said Erdogan.
“The days when politics and justice were directed through street terror are now completely a thing of the past, along with old Turkey.”
Largest wave of protests in Turkey in over a decade
Other protesters gathered outside the Istanbul city hall – Imamoglu’s designated office – where protests have been taking place daily since the mayor’s arrest.
The demonstrations mark the largest wave of protests in Turkey in more than a decade.
Protests were largely peaceful, but a group of protesters, trying to break through barricades to reach Istanbul’s main square, threw flares, stones and other objects at police.
Protesters say pepper spray was used against them, along with water cannons, tear gas and some even claim officers fired rubber bullets.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya says 343 suspects were detained in nationwide protests in major cities on Friday night.
He also ad d ed that “there will be no tolerance for those who seek to violate societal order, threaten the people’s peace and security, and pursue chaos and provocation.”
CHP Presidential Primary to proceed
Imamoglu’s arrest came just days before he was expected to be nominated as the opposition Republican People’s Party’s presidential candidate in a primary on Sunday.
CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel has said that the primary, where around 1.5 million delegates can vote, will go ahead as planned.
The opposition party has also urged citizens to participate in a symbolic election on Sunday — through improvised ballot boxes to be set up across Turkey — to show solidarity with Imamoglu.
In a tweet posted shortly before his arrival at the courthouse, Imamoglu urged the public to safeguard the ballot boxes for Sunday’s primary, “Don’t forget: they are very afraid of you and your democratic right to vote.”
In an earlier message, Imamoglu described his arrest as a “coup” and accused the government of exploiting the judiciary and worsening the country’s troubled economy.
