Turkey detains 56 over social media posts amid Istanbul mayor probe
Turkish police have detained 56 people accused of inciting unrest through provocative social media posts, state news agency Anadolu said on Saturday.
It comes amid a broader investigation targeting the secular opposition's Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key rival to long-time Islamic-conservative President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
İmamoğlu's detention on Wednesday has sparked demonstrations across the country.
Detention warrants were issued for a total of 94 suspects accused of posting "provocative" calls to protest and create public "panic," Anadolu cited the Istanbul chief public prosecutor's office as saying.
Police carried out simultaneous raids, detaining 56, and are searching for 38 others, said Anadolu. Authorities seized illegal drugs during searches at the suspects' homes, it added.
Late Thursday, a total of 97 people were detained at demonstrations against İmamoğlu's detention, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote on social media platform X.
The investigation against İmamoğlu is part of a sweeping probe involving 106 suspects over corruption and terror allegations.
İmamoğlu has denied any wrongdoing and described the case as politically motivated.
İmamoğlu's Republican People's Party (CHP) is preparing to name him as their presidential candidate on Sunday.
İmamoğlu commended the protests he said were aimed at protecting "democracy" as an "inspiration" to the world, in a post on X on Saturday.
He urged his supporters to proceed with Sunday's vote.
"I invite all our citizens to be a part of this great enthusiasm ... The nation is great. Sovereignty belongs to the people unconditionally," he said.
İmamoğlu is currently testifying at Istanbul police headquarters where he has been held since Wednesday, Anadolu reported.
The mayor is in good health and his morale is high, his lawyer and CHP Istanbul lawmaker Turan Taşkın Özer told dpa over the phone.
He is next expected to appear at Istanbul's high-security Çağlayan courthouse but exact timing is unclear, Özer added.
If İmamoğlu is convicted on terrorism charges, Turkish law allows the authorities replace him with a government-affiliated official.
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