Turkiye‘s police detained 40 individuals, including Istanbul’s Beyoglu district mayor, in a corruption probe, state broadcaster TRT Haber reported on Friday, marking the latest action in a crackdown on the opposition.
Beyoglu Mayor Inan Guney from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) was the 16th mayor to have been taken into custody in the crackdown, in which a total of more than 500 people have been detained in less than a year.
Among those currently in prison is Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival, who is being investigated on charges of corruption and links to terrorism.
The CHP denies the charges and calls them an attempt to eliminate a democratic alternative, a charge the government rejects.
TRT Haber said those held in the latest operation are suspected of involvement in fraudulent activities at companies linked to the Istanbul municipality. Arrest warrants were issued for a total of 44 people, including the 40 detained, it said.
On Thursday, CHP mayor Ozlem Cercioglu from the western city of Aydin joined Erdogan’s ruling AK Party, citing disagreements with the CHP administration.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel told reporters, without providing evidence, that AKP officials had threatened Cercioglu with legal investigations into her municipality and arrest unless she joined the ruling party.
AKP deputy chair Hayati Yazici called Ozel’s allegation “completely untrue”. Cercioglu also rejected the claim.
Crackdown On Opposition
Turkiye has intensified its crackdown on opposition leaders, following the high-profile arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a move that has drawn widespread domestic and international attention.
Imamoglu, a prominent figure from the opposition CHP, was detained amid allegations of corruption, sparking concerns over the state of democracy and rule of law in the country.
His arrest marked a significant escalation in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ongoing efforts to suppress dissent and consolidate power.
The detention of Imamoglu triggered unprecedented nationwide protests, with thousands of citizens taking to the streets to express outrage over what many perceive as politically motivated actions.
Demonstrators called for respect for democratic norms and the protection of elected officials, highlighting deepening political polarisation in Turkiye.
Social media platforms were flooded with messages of support for Imamoglu, further amplifying public scrutiny of the government’s actions.
Observers note that these developments are part of a broader pattern in Turkiye, where opposition leaders and critics have increasingly faced legal and administrative pressure.
(With inputs from Reuters)
