Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested on corruption charges, leading to significant street protests in Turkey and concerns about political motivations behind his detention. His imprisonment is viewed as an attempt to eliminate him as a key contender for the 2028 presidential election. Despite the arrest, his opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has initiated a primary election to endorse him as their presidential candidate. Officials deny any political motives, asserting court independence, while others criticize the lack of confidentiality in the judicial process.
"Honestly, we are embarrassed in the name of our legal system," Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, a fellow member of Imamoglu's CHP, told reporters, criticizing the lack of confidentiality in the proceedings.
The Council of Europe, a Europe-wide body that focuses on promoting human rights and democracy slammed the decision to imprison the mayor. 'We deplore the decision to place Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu in detention, and demand his immediate release,' said Marc Cools.
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