Istanbul's Mayor Questioned for a Second Day as Protests Expand.
Ekrem Imamoglu is being questioned regarding allegations of terrorism and corruption as protests intensify throughout Turkey.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu underwent a second day of police interrogation on Saturday, coinciding with escalating protests following his recent arrest.
For about five hours, Imamoglu faced questioning related to an investigation into supposed affiliations with the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
The day before, he was interrogated for four hours regarding corruption allegations.
His arrest earlier in the week occurred during a pre-dawn raid at his home, triggering widespread protests in major cities throughout Turkey.
While authorities have not made formal charges public, they have indicated that the inquiries involve financial improprieties and ties to Kurdish militants.
This arrest happened just before he was anticipated to be proposed as the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) presidential candidate.
Imamoglu has refuted all claims made during both interrogation sessions.
In the wake of the protests, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the detention of 343 people on Friday night.
He remarked that the authorities would not accept actions that threaten public order or incite unrest.
On Friday, protesters clashed with police in Istanbul as they tried to overcome barricades near the city’s historic aqueduct.
Officers employed tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to clear the protesters, who retaliated by throwing stones, flares, and other objects.
On Saturday, there were increased security measures around the courthouse, including road closures and a significant police presence.
Government officials assert that the judiciary in Turkey functions independently and claim that legal actions against political figures are driven by evidence rather than political agendas.
The protests surrounding Imamoglu’s arrest continue to capture national attention, with observers keenly watching the situation as Turkey approaches its next presidential election in 2028.
For about five hours, Imamoglu faced questioning related to an investigation into supposed affiliations with the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
The day before, he was interrogated for four hours regarding corruption allegations.
His arrest earlier in the week occurred during a pre-dawn raid at his home, triggering widespread protests in major cities throughout Turkey.
While authorities have not made formal charges public, they have indicated that the inquiries involve financial improprieties and ties to Kurdish militants.
This arrest happened just before he was anticipated to be proposed as the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) presidential candidate.
Imamoglu has refuted all claims made during both interrogation sessions.
In the wake of the protests, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the detention of 343 people on Friday night.
He remarked that the authorities would not accept actions that threaten public order or incite unrest.
On Friday, protesters clashed with police in Istanbul as they tried to overcome barricades near the city’s historic aqueduct.
Officers employed tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to clear the protesters, who retaliated by throwing stones, flares, and other objects.
On Saturday, there were increased security measures around the courthouse, including road closures and a significant police presence.
Government officials assert that the judiciary in Turkey functions independently and claim that legal actions against political figures are driven by evidence rather than political agendas.
The protests surrounding Imamoglu’s arrest continue to capture national attention, with observers keenly watching the situation as Turkey approaches its next presidential election in 2028.
