Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has been arrested. Police teams are conducting a search at his residence. Arrest warrants have also been issued for over 100 businesspeople and journalists. Several metro stations in Istanbul have been closed, and police officers’ leaves have been canceled.
Ekrem İmamoğlu, the President of the Turkish Union of Municipalities and Istanbul’s Mayor, is under investigation for terrorism and corruption allegations within the scope of “Urban Consensus.” He has been taken into custody, and the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office referred to him as the “leader of a criminal organization.” CHP (Republican People’s Party) leader Özgür Özel is reportedly on his way to Istanbul and made a statement saying, “We will not surrender.”
SÖZCÜ reporter Muratcan Altuntoprak pointed out that the second investigation against İmamoğlu is related to terrorism, and he shared information suggesting that this could pave the way for the appointment of a trustee (kayyum) to İBB.
İmamoğlu’s advisor, Ongun, announced on social media that he was being arrested, and a search was conducted at İmamoğlu’s home, with nearly 20 police vehicles stationed outside. İmamoğlu has been taken to the Vatan Police Station.
In Istanbul, many metro stations have been shut down, internet access has been slowed down, and social media platforms are inaccessible. Vatan Street has been completely closed.
İmamoğlu’s First Statement:
In a video shared from his home, İmamoğlu stated, “A handful of minds attempting to seize the will of our people have used my dear police officers to carry out evil, piling hundreds of police officers in front of the homes of 16 million Istanbul residents. We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not give up.”
“I ENTRUST MYSELF TO MY PEOPLE”
İmamoğlu continued, “I love you all very much, and I entrust myself to my people. Let everyone know that I will stand tall. I will continue to fight against that person and those who are using this entire process as an apparatus with their mentality.”
