Istanbul – Turkish police on Wednesday arrested Istanbul’s mayor – a popular opposition leader and key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and arrested several other prominent figures as part of alleged corruption and terrorism links. It was a dramatic increase in the crackdown on opposition and dissenting voices in Turkey.
The prosecution issued detained warrants for Mayor, Acryam Amoglo, and some 100 others, the official -administered Anidolo News Agency. The detainees included a close associate of Amoglovo, Marat Angan.
Authorities also closed several roads around Istanbul and banned protests in the city for four days in a clear attempt to stop the protests after arrest.
Yasin Aquogol/AFP/Getty
Despite the ban, the direct feed on it Anx Account of Anka News Agency Armed police appeared in Istanbul University to show protesters. One symbol was written: “The university will not comply with it.” The demonstrations did not immediately report any violence.
Private television network NTV said two mayors of the Istanbul District were among the detainees.
Critics noted that the crackdown followed Erdogan’s ruling party’s significant losses in the local elections last year, and among the growing calls for the initial national elections. Government officials insist that the courts work freely and rejects claims that legal measures against opposition data are politically encouraged.
In a video published on social media, Amlo said earlier this day, “We are facing tremendous cruelty, but I want you to know that I will not discourage.”
Germany criticized arrests on Wednesday, calling it “a serious blow to democracy” by Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fisher.
Internet Watch Dog Net Blinds On Wednesday, its direct matrix indicated that Turkey is banning access to X, YouTube, Instagram, TaTok and other social media platforms.
Erdogan is a popularist whose opponents say that there are rapidly authoritarian tendencies, he has guided Turkey as prime minister or president for more than 20 years, and is now the longest serving leader in the history of the Turkish Republic. His current term lasts by 2028, but he has indicated that he wants to serve for a long time.
Amoglo was arrested when the police searched his house, but it was not immediately clear that if something was seized. His wife, Delik Amoglo, told the private Nowao Television Network that the police had already arrived at his residence before Dawn and was taken to the mayor around 7:30 am.
On the news of his arrest, the main index of the Istanbul Stock Exchange declined by 7 %, which temporarily stopped the trade to stop panic sales and stabilize the market. Turkey Lira lost its 7 % price against the dollar.
The news agency, Anadolo, said that Acryam Amoglo and several others are suspected of extortion, money laundering and irregularities related to tenders and purchases, in addition to other crimes.
The report states that the Istanbul is also suspected of helping the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK illegally, by allegedly establishing an alliance with the Kurdish umbrella organization for the municipal elections. The PKK has targeted decades of insurgency inside Turkey and has been named a terrorist organization by Ankara, Washington and other allies.
Earlier this month, in a move by the United States, in a move, PK declared unilateral ceasefire With the Turkish government, after a call by the long prison leader of the group, to lay a complete weapon for it.
“Attempt against our next president”
The day ago, Istanbul University invalidated Amoglo’s diploma, which effectively disqualified it from participating in the next presidential race – a university degree is necessary to participate in elections under Turkish law.
The mayor’s party – the Central Republican People’s Party of the Opposition, or the CHP – had to hold a primary on Sunday, where Amogloo was expected to be elected as its candidate in the future presidential elections. The national belt is currently scheduled for 2028, but the vote is expected to be brought forward.
Despite all the arrests on Wednesday, CHP Party Chairman Ozgur Ozil told the opposition -affiliated Halk TV channel that its basic plan would move forward. Ozil described the detention of Amoglovo as “an attempt to try against our next president”.
A Social Media Post Written in English, Amogloo said: “People’s will cannot be silenced by intimidation or illegal acts. I am determined, and entrusts myself not only 16 million residents of Istanbul but also 86 million citizens” Turkey “.
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Turkey’s pro -pro -people equality and the democracy party condemned the detention and demanded immediate release of all detained persons.
Don raiding and his arrest at the house of Amoglovo was a “notorious” which will not be forgotten for centuries. This operation, which gives rise to trust in justice, is an attempt to re -design politics through the judiciary, “party co -chair woman, trolley Hatimogolari,” is written on x.
When he was being arrested, the mayor’s auxiliary, Ongan, Appealed for support on xAlthough they did not know at that time, the mayor was also being taken into custody.
“They think they can silence us and prevent us from defending and supporting Akim Amoglo.” “I hand over the Akram Mummoglo to the Turkish people. Look at the protection, see and support it. They cannot defeat the nation.”
According to the opposition -affiliated Halk TV, police also brought a prominent investigating journalist, Ismail Samaz, according to the opposition -affiliated Halk TV.
Declaring Amoglo’s diploma as invalid, the university cited alleged irregularities in transferring from a private university to a private university in northern Cyprus in 1990. Amoglov said he would challenge the decision.
Amogloo faces a number of litigation, which includes allegations of trying to influence the judicial expert investigating the opposition municipalities. These cases could result in prison sentence and political ban.
He is also appealing for the 2022 confession of humiliating members of Turkey’s High Election Council, which could result in political ban.
Amoglo was elected mayor of Turkey’s largest city in March 2019, Erdogan and the President’s Justice and Development Party found a historic blow, which controlled Istanbul for a quarter century. The president’s party called for the municipality’s election results to be banned, accusing him of irregularities in the city of 16 million.
The challenge resulted in the election a few months later, which was also won by Amoglo. The mayor retained its seat after the local elections last year, during which his party gained significant benefits against Erdogan’s governing party.
