Istanbul mayor and Erdogan rival arrested in major crackdown

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: BBC

Turkish authorities have detained the mayor of Istanbul, just days before he was due to be selected as a presidential candidate.

Ekrem Imamoglu, from the secular Republican People's Party (CHP), is seen as one of Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan's strongest political rivals.

Prosecutors accused him of corruption and aiding a terrorist group, calling him a "criminal organisation leader suspect".

Authorities detained 100 suspects - including other politicians, journalists and businessmen - as part of the investigation, and the Istanbul governor's office has imposed four days of restrictions in the city.

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yren8mxp8o

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The state-run Anadolu Agency reported that prosecutors also issued warrants for 100 other people. Authorities closed several roads around Istanbul and banned demonstrations in the city for four days in an apparent effort to prevent protests following the arrest.
...
Imamoğlu, 53, “was detained and is now at police headquarters” a press aide told Agence France-Presse. The aide did not have permission to speak to the media so asked not to be named.

At the same time, Netblocks internet observatory said Turkey had restricted access to multiple social media platforms including X, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is scheduled to hold a primary election on 23 March, at which Imamoğlu was expected to be chosen as its presidential candidate. The next presidential vote is scheduled for 2028, but early elections are likely.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/19/istanbul-mayor-arrested-ekrem-imamoglu-days-before-likely-presidential-nomination-erdogan-ntwnfb

Democracy will be a thing of the past in Turkey.

[John1956PA]

1. A blueprint for other fascists to follow. n/t

[tonkatoy8888]

2. Ah Yes

Coming soon to a country near you.

The EU has a terrible unsolved problem with Turkey and Hungary. They continue to flout both EU norms and rules, while at the same time happily sucking up EU subsidies.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Turkey is not yet in the EU, and its application to join stalled long ago, thanks to acts like this

There can be a bit of realpolitik about visas and suchlike which gives Turkey a bit of an advantage over similar close-to-the-EU countries.

Hungary is indeed a problem for the EU; not only benefitting from the rules, but also able to throw spanners in the works of decisions.

[tonkatoy8888]

7. Yes, you are correct

Early morning brain fart. Let's just call it Turkish Delight.

[muriel_volestrangler]

16. And today, we have another Hungarian example: Hungary bans LGBTQ+ Pride marches

Hungary has passed a law banning Pride marches held by the LGBTQ+ community, sparking outrage in and out of the country.

Parliament voted for the measure just a day after the bill was submitted on Monday, in a process fast-tracked by the ruling right-wing Fidesz party under Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
...
Pride marches had been held for the past 30 years in Hungary. Opposition lawmakers lit flares during the voting session on Tuesday, while demonstrators blocked a bridge in central Budapest. Human rights groups have also condemned the move.
...
In 2020, the country abolished its legal recognition of transgender people, and in 2021, politicians passed a law banning the depiction of homosexuality to under-18s.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y0zrg9kpno

[sop]

3. Trump's DOJ will launch very public investigations of Democratic candidates who are leading in the polls.

[StevieM]

9. James Comey already did that for the GOP back in 2016.

The fact that they later turned on him doesn't change that.

[stoned]

4. Its Turkey.

People are shocked by this?

[Torchlight]

5. Who is shocked?

[stoned]

10. Sounds serious

Good luck

[Carlitos Brigante]

17. It's spelled "It's", number one. Two, who do you see here acting "shocked"? nt

[JCMach1]

8. Has been over for some time

[samsingh]

11. Democracy around the world is at threat.

[Fla Dem]

12. Shades of things to come in the USA? Sure hope not, but at this point not untinkable.

[Richard D]

13. I don't think this will go over at all well.

I was in Istanbul the night Imamoglu was elected. It was a city-wide party. He basically ran and was elected on love.
Erdogan is quite unlike by much of the population.

[Cheezoholic]

14. Agree, Erdogan is on shaky ground as it is. When Dicktaters start arresting opposition leaders that are well liked

it's a sure sign they are getting weak.... and frightened.

[Mysterian]

15. The people of Turkey need to revolt against this fascism

Just like the people of the USA must revolt when Trump rejects the rule of law and attempts to seize total power.

[muriel_volestrangler]

18. Turkey arrests dozens over online posts after Erdogan rival detained

Authorities in Turkey have arrested dozens of people for "provocative" social media posts, after detaining the mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu on Wednesday.
...
Interior minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Thursday morning that police had identified 261 "suspect account managers" online.

They allegedly posted content which broke laws on "inciting the public to hatred and hostility" and "incitement to commit a crime".

"Thirty-seven suspects were caught and efforts are continuing to catch the other suspects," he said, adding that more than 18.6 million posts appeared online about Wednesday's arrests by 0600 local time (0300 GMT) on Thursday.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpv43dd3vlgo

Of course, it's the government actions that are "inciting the public to hatred and hostility".