Latest news with #Istanbulites
Roya News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Fifth wave of arrests hits Istanbul as Turkey jails more opposition voices
Turkish authorities have launched a new wave of arrests targeting dozens of opposition figures, including mayors and party officials in Istanbul and Adana, in what critics say is a politically motivated campaign. According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, arrest warrants were issued for 47 individuals, with at least 30 already detained. The latest operation marks the fifth round of detentions since March, when Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu—President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's most prominent political rival—was imprisoned. Local officials, particularly from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), have been the primary targets of these raids. Turkish officials maintain that the crackdown is rooted in legitimate corruption allegations and deny any political agenda, asserting that the judiciary remains independent. In a letter sent from prison and read at an opposition rally on Saturday, Imamoglu condemned the ongoing arrests. 'It is time to say 'enough is enough' to this unjust and unlawful order.' He added, 'Now you are taking our district mayors with fictitious excuses. What will you do? Where will you stop? Are you going to throw 16 million Istanbulites in jail one by one?' Imamoglu, a rising star within the CHP, has been accused of corruption and links to a terrorist organization—charges he denies. His imprisonment has sparked nationwide protests and further arrests, with the Istanbul prosecutor's office reporting that 819 individuals detained during demonstrations are now facing trial in 20 separate cases. The latest arrests involved four coordinated operations across Istanbul and Adana. Among those apprehended were municipal mayors, city officials, and members of the CHP. Baki Aydöner, a CHP Party Assembly member, shared on X that he was in Ankara when his wife informed him their home was being searched. Aydöner said he was traveling to Istanbul in response to a detention order issued against him.
Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Turkey blocks arrested opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu's X account
May 8 (UPI) -- Turkey Thursday ordered X to restrict access to the account of jailed political opposition leader and Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu. X's Global Government Affairs team said in a statement that it is complying with Turkey's order to block Imamoglu's account but will challenge it. "We strongly disagree with the order and are challenging the order in court. The order was received from the Turkish Information and Communication Technologies Authority. These orders require X to block content in Turkey that is available in the rest of the world," it said. A post on Imamoglu's X account Thursday said it was blocked by a legal demand. According to the BBC, a lawyer representing X has filed a court challenge to the block order. Imamoglu's Republican People's Party told the BBC that the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's is taking another step in a coup attempt. "Now they won't even allow him to speak to the public," said CHP Secretary General Selin Sayek Boke. "It clearly shows the fear of those in power that they will be losing power. It's a coup attempt against the next ballot box." Opinion polls show Imamoglu would win an election if allowed to run in 2028. X said defying the order to block Imamoglu's account could lead to Turkey banning X entirely from the country. "X complied with the court order while we challenge the order in court because we believe keeping the platform accessible in Turkey is vital to supporting freedom of expression and access to information, particularly following natural disasters and other emergencies," the statement said. When Imamoglu was taken into custody March 19, he said, "I'm sorry to say, a handful of minds trying to usurp the will of our nation have used my beloved police officers, the security forces of this country, as instruments of evil, and have gathered hundreds of police officers at the door of my home, the home of 16 million Istanbulites." Imamoglu was formally arrested on corruption charges and removed from office in March, sparking thousands of people who believe his arrest is politically motivated to protest. He denies committing crimes and had been urging his supporters to protest. For people using VPNs Imamoglu's X account in Turkey is still accessible. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Turkey blocks arrested opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu's X account
May 8 (UPI) -- Turkey Thursday ordered X to restrict access to the account of jailed political opposition leader and Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu. X's Global Government Affairs team said in a statement that it is complying with Turkey's order to block Imamoglu's account but will challenge it. "We strongly disagree with the order and are challenging the order in court. The order was received from the Turkish Information and Communication Technologies Authority. These orders require X to block content in Turkey that is available in the rest of the world," it said. A post on Imamoglu's X account Thursday said it was blocked by a legal demand. According to the BBC, a lawyer representing X has filed a court challenge to the block order. Imamoglu's Republican People's Party told the BBC that the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's is taking another step in a coup attempt. "Now they won't even allow him to speak to the public," said CHP Secretary General Selin Sayek Boke. "It clearly shows the fear of those in power that they will be losing power. It's a coup attempt against the next ballot box." Opinion polls show Imamoglu would win an election if allowed to run in 2028. X said defying the order to block Imamoglu's account could lead to Turkey banning X entirely from the country. "X complied with the court order while we challenge the order in court because we believe keeping the platform accessible in Turkey is vital to supporting freedom of expression and access to information, particularly following natural disasters and other emergencies," the statement said. When Imamoglu was taken into custody March 19, he said, "I'm sorry to say, a handful of minds trying to usurp the will of our nation have used my beloved police officers, the security forces of this country, as instruments of evil, and have gathered hundreds of police officers at the door of my home, the home of 16 million Istanbulites." Imamoglu was formally arrested on corruption charges and removed from office in March, sparking thousands of people who believe his arrest is politically motivated to protest. He denies committing crimes and had been urging his supporters to protest. For people using VPNs Imamoglu's X account in Turkey is still accessible.
Al Bawaba
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Protests erupts in Turkey following arrest of Istanbul Mayor
Istanbul's opposition party staged a mass rally on Wednesday evening to protest the detention of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, despite a government ban on public gatherings. Earlier in the day, Turkish police detained Imamoglu, a prominent div from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), on allegations of graft and 'terrorism.' The detention has sparked outrage from the opposition, who have criticised the move as a politically motivated 'coup.' Imamoglu is considered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival. His detention comes days before the CHP is expected to name its candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Ozgur Ozel, head of the CHP, announced that a protest would proceed in Istanbul against Imamoglu's detention. 'I invite all lawyers to Vatan [Istanbul Police headquarters] with their robes and all Istanbulites to Sarachane [Istanbul Municipality headquarters] to support our Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. There is no salvation alone – either all together or none of us!' Ozel told thousands of people gathered in front of Istanbul Municipality. Ozgur Ozel, head of the CHP at the massive protests in Istanbul against Imamoglu's detention. The call for protest came despite a ruling from the Istanbul Governor banning all public gatherings for four days. Authorities also reportedly cut main public transport lines in the city, while increasing police presence. Imamoglu, along with 106 others, was arrested on Wednesday morning as part of investigations into terrorism and corruption. Critics of the government allege that the arrests are politically motivated. Ozel earlier accused Erdogan's government of staging a coup. 'Making decisions on behalf of the people, using force to replace the will of the people or to obstruct it, is a coup,' he said. The mayor of Istanbul's Sisli district, Resul Ekrem Sahan, and the general secretary of the Istanbul Municipality were also detained, along with journalists, local politicians, businesspeople and municipal administrators. The Istanbul Prosecutor's Office named Imamoglu as 'the leader of a crime group' in connection with terrorism and corruption investigations. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc cautioned the opposition against staging street protests. 'It is dangerous to try to influence the impartial judiciary. Calls for the street [protests] aimed at misleading the public are also unacceptable,' Tunc said on Wednesday. Hundreds of Istanbul University students held a protest on Wednesday and broke a police blockade, leading to police intervention. Imamoglu's detention comes a day after Istanbul University revoked his diploma. Imamoglu had been seen as a likely candidate to challenge Erdogan in the next elections. However, as his popularity grew, he became the subject of court cases and investigations. Authorities have reportedly reduced internet bandwidth for access to social media platforms, including X, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Telegram, Signal and WhatsApp.
Daily News Egypt
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Turkish Opposition Protests Istanbul Mayor's Detention Despite Government Ban
Istanbul's opposition party staged a mass rally on Wednesday evening to protest the detention of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, despite a government ban on public gatherings. Earlier in the day, Turkish police detained Imamoglu, a prominent figure from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), on allegations of graft and 'terrorism.' The detention has sparked outrage from the opposition, who have criticised the move as a politically motivated 'coup.' Imamoglu is considered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival. His detention comes days before the CHP is expected to name its candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Ozgur Ozel, head of the CHP, announced that a protest would proceed in Istanbul against Imamoglu's detention. 'I invite all lawyers to Vatan [Istanbul Police headquarters] with their robes and all Istanbulites to Sarachane [Istanbul Municipality headquarters] to support our Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. There is no salvation alone – either all together or none of us!' Ozel told thousands of people gathered in front of Istanbul Municipality. The call for protest came despite a ruling from the Istanbul Governor banning all public gatherings for four days. Authorities also reportedly cut main public transport lines in the city, while increasing police presence. Imamoglu, along with 106 others, was arrested on Wednesday morning as part of investigations into terrorism and corruption. Critics of the government allege that the arrests are politically motivated. Ozel earlier accused Erdogan's government of staging a coup. 'Making decisions on behalf of the people, using force to replace the will of the people or to obstruct it, is a coup,' he said. The mayor of Istanbul's Sisli district, Resul Ekrem Sahan, and the general secretary of the Istanbul Municipality were also detained, along with journalists, local politicians, businesspeople and municipal administrators. The Istanbul Prosecutor's Office named Imamoglu as 'the leader of a crime group' in connection with terrorism and corruption investigations. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc cautioned the opposition against staging street protests. 'It is dangerous to try to influence the impartial judiciary. Calls for the street [protests] aimed at misleading the public are also unacceptable,' Tunc said on Wednesday. Hundreds of Istanbul University students held a protest on Wednesday and broke a police blockade, leading to police intervention. Imamoglu's detention comes a day after Istanbul University revoked his diploma. Imamoglu had been seen as a likely candidate to challenge Erdogan in the next elections. However, as his popularity grew, he became the subject of court cases and investigations. Authorities have reportedly reduced internet bandwidth for access to social media platforms, including X, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Telegram, Signal and WhatsApp.
