POLITICS

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu Detained: Top opposition leader arrested in dawn raid, facing allegations of corruption and terror links.

By Aniket Chakraborty

Mar 25, 2025

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Political Tensions Escalate: Prosecutors request formal arrest, setting stage for potential trial and removal from political landscape.

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Massive Protests Sweep Turkey: Largest street demonstrations in over a decade erupt, with hundreds rallying against Imamoglu's detention.

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Government vs. Opposition Showdown: Erdogan accuses opposition of harboring "municipal robbers", intensifying political conflict.

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Judicial Questioning Marathon: Imamoglu interrogated for nine hours over two days, categorically rejecting all charges against him.

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Presidential Primary in Crosshairs: Arrest comes days before opposition party's primary, potentially disrupting Imamoglu's presidential candidacy.

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Unprecedented Security Measures: Authorities deploy hundreds of police, water cannon trucks, and block access to courthouse to manage protests.

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Symbolic Resistance Planned: Opposition calls for improvised ballot box election to show solidarity with Imamoglu's democratic rights.

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Interior Minister's Crackdown: 323 protesters detained, with government warning against "chaos and provocation".

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Imamoglu's Defiance: Mayor describes arrest as a "coup", challenging government's judicial manipulation and economic policies.

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