Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a prominent political opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was arrested on Wednesday morning. Turkish media reported that Imamoglu, along with his press secretary Murat Ongun and approximately 100 others, were apprehended as part of an anti-corruption operation.
corruption, bribery, and fraud in tenders, and support for the PKK/KCK terrorist organization. Imamoglu recorded a video before his detention, calling the situation "a disgrace" and vowing to continue his fight. His advisor, Murat Ongun, and campaign director, Nejati Shahin, were also detained during the investigation.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Istanbul University revoked Imamoglu's academic degree on Tuesday due to an alleged plagiarism issue. This decision, according to Turkish law, disqualifies the mayor from running for president of the country.
The arrest and the subsequent removal of his degree have fueled concerns about what Erdoğan's critics have labeled as "political persecution" of his main rival. The timing of these events, coupled with the ongoing investigation, raises questions about the motivations behind the actions taken against Imamoglu.
5 Comments
Habibi
We are confident in the justice system! Imamoglu will receive a fair trial.
Answer
Outrageous! This is nothing but political persecution of Imamoglu by Erdoğan. The timing is suspicious, and the accusations seem flimsy at best.
The Truth
This is a positive development for Turkey! We are moving in the right direction.
Answer
We will not let anyone destabilize Turkey! We will stand united against all threats.
Raphael
Shame on Erdoğan! He's trying to silence his opponents and prevent them from challenging his power. This is a blatant attack on democracy.