Police arrested Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as part of an investigation into alleged "corruption and terror links".

The state-run Anadolu Agency reported that prosecutors also issued warrants for 100 other people. Authorities closed several roads around Istanbul and banned demonstrations in the city for four days in an apparent effort to prevent protests following the arrest.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, of the Republican People's Party (CHP), faces two separate investigations that also include charges of leading a crime organisation, bribery and tender rigging.

The detention came a day after Istanbul University annulled Imamoglu's degree, which if upheld would block him from running in presidential elections. The next vote is set for 2028 but it must come earlier if Erdogan wants to run again.

The Istanbul governor's office decided to ban all meetings and protests in the city for four days.

Detention warrant for 105 people

CHP Istanbul Deputy and CHP High Disciplinary Board Chairman Turan Taşkın Özer stated that ‘20 vehicles full of police officers have arrived at the residence of our Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in the early hours of the morning and he is being detained’. 

Turan Taşkın Özer, in a statement made on his social media account, noted the following: 

It is learned that journalists are among those detained. Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an operation against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and issued detention warrants for 105 people, including journalists. 

Imamoğlu, who was detained by hundreds of police officers, is being taken to Istanbul Security Directorate.

Ekrem Imamoğlu: ‘We are facing a great bullying, but I will not give up’

Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu stated that hundreds of police officers came to his residence and said, ‘I will continue to fight against that person and his mind that uses the whole process as an apparatus.’
IBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu said the following in a video post on his social media account:

‘I regret to say that a handful of minds who are trying to usurp the will of our nation have used my beloved policemen, the security forces of the country, for evil, and gathered hundreds of policemen at the door of the residence of 16 million Istanbulites. We are facing a great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not give up. I love you all very much. I entrust myself to my nation. Let all my nation know that I will stand upright. I will continue to fight against that person and his mind that uses the whole process as an apparatus.’

Istanbul University cancelled Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma

Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's university diploma, which he received 35 years ago, was cancelled yesterday.

Thus, the diploma of İmamoğlu, who was preparing to enter the primary election as the only candidate to become the CHP's presidential candidate, was cancelled only 5 days before the primary election.

‘The march of our nation thirsting for justice, law and democracy will not be stopped’
Imamoğlu reacted to the decision and said, ‘The decision of the Istanbul University Board of Directors is unlawful. They have no authority to make such a decision. The authority is only in the Board of Directors of the Faculty of Business Administration. The days are coming soon when those who took this decision will be held accountable before history and justice. The march of our nation thirsting for justice, law and democracy will not be stopped. There is no salvation alone!’ he said. (EVRENSEL DAILY)