Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has been arrested on corruption charges, as confirmed by an Istanbul criminal court.

This event took place following his detention by Turkish authorities on March 19, amid existing tensions between opposition figures and the ruling government.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued the arrest warrant not only for Imamoglu but also for 99 other individuals associated with the same corruption investigation.

Reports indicate that Imamoglu was taken into custody at his residence.

Following the arrest, large-scale protests erupted in Istanbul and other cities where demonstrators voiced their opposition to the legal actions against the mayor.

Protesters clashed with riot police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.

Witnesses reported that hundreds of thousands gathered outside Istanbul's city hall in a show of solidarity for the mayor.

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has accused Imamoglu and the others involved of coercing businessmen to provide financial contributions, obtaining illicit gains through collusion, and laundering the proceeds of these activities.

The accusations detail the alleged use of intermediaries in financial transactions, including the establishment of 'secret safes' for the collection and transfer of funds.

Imamoglu, a prominent figure in Turkey's opposition, has been a vocal critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his administration, making his arrest particularly notable in the context of Turkish politics.

The unfolding situation continues to develop amid heightened scrutiny from both regional and international observers.