Protests in Turkey as Imamoglu, key Erdogan rival, is arrested
As the detention of Istanbul's mayor and the arrest of more than 100 raise alarms over an escalating crackdown on opposition, internet access across Turkey has slowed and protests are banned in Istanbul.
ANKARA — Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) remained defiant after Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a potential presidential contender, was detained on terrorism and corruption charges on Wednesday.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel addressed tens of thousands gathered outside Istanbul’s municipality offices that evening, describing Imamoglu as Turkey’s future president.
“I am calling on you to support Ekrem, the future president of Turkey,” Ozel told the crowd. “Is it fair or just to treat him this way when his only crime is being the future president?” he asked.
Turkish police detained Imamoglu on Wednesday morning, accusing him of corruption and links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has been waging an armed insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 and is a designated terrorist organization by Ankara, Washington and most European capitals.
