Istanbul city officials arrested, weeks after mayor İmamoğlu detained
Several people associated with the city administration of Istanbul have been detained in Turkey in connection with a corruption investigation.
The state news agency Anadolu reported on Saturday that 50 people were taken into custody during operations in the provinces of Istanbul, Ankara and Tekirdag.
A total of 53 suspects were ordered to be arrested.
The state broadcaster TRT reported that those arrested include the chief secretary of jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was detained on March 19.
İmamoğlu's bodyguard and the director of the Istanbul waterworks were also among those detained.
Observers have expressed considerable doubts about the substance of the evidence against İmamoğlu.
He faces charges in connection with corruption and terrorism investigations, which he has comprehensively rejected.
The authorities' move against him is widely seen in Turkey as politically motivated, as İmamoğlu is considered a prominent challenger to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a future election.
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