Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and CHP presidential candidate, was arrested and sent to prison on charges of 'corruption'.

In a statement posted on his social media account X after his arrest, Imamoğlu insisted that the trial process was not fair and called on people to fight for their rights.

Stating that Turkey woke up to a great betrayal today, İmamoğlu said, "The trial is not a trial. It is a complete extrajudicial execution. I call on our nation to fight for rights with a sense of responsibility. This fight for rights is about the future of our nation and our children. Vote today for the future of Turkey. Then raise your voice by gathering at Saraçhane in Istanbul and at democracy squares in other cities. It is the day to take responsibility against those who steal the will of the people and to join the struggle for rights. Together, without leaving anyone behind,' he said.

3 mayors arrested

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has sent a letter to the Istanbul Governor's Office regarding the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), Resul Emrah Şahan, Mayor of Şişli Municipality and Mehmet Murat Çalık, Mayor of Beylikdüzü Municipality by theCourt in the framework of the 'corruption' and 'terrorism' investigation against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB).

In the letter sent by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to the Istanbul Governor's Office, it was stated that IBB Mayor İmamoğlu was arrested by the Court, to which he was referred on the grounds of strong suspicion of a crime, on the charges of "establishing an organisation for the purpose of committing a crime", "illegally recording personal data", "accepting bribes" and "rigging tenders of public institutions and organisations".

The letter stated that the same judge had decided to reject İmamoğlu's request on the charge of 'aiding an armed terrorist organisation' on the grounds that there was no need for an arrest measure at this stage.

It was pointed out that the mayor of Şişli, Emrah Şahan, was arrested on the charge of "aiding an armed terrorist organisation" on the basis of strong suspicion and that the mayor of Beylikdüzü, Çalık, was arrested on the basis of strong suspicion by the Court, to which he was referred on the charges of "membership in an organisation formed to commit a crime" and "extortion". (EVRENSEL DAILY)