Court Officially Decides for Arrest of Istanbul Mayor

The court said Imamgoliu and at least 20 others were imprisoned as part of a corruption investigation.

Prosecutors Sunday had demanded that Istanbul mayor, currently in custody, be officially arrested, broadcast Periscope.

The court ruled before that and Imamoglu has been arrested while awaiting trial. A decision concerning terrorism charges is expected to be made.

Imamoglu has denied the accusations and protests against his detention some of the biggest the country has seen in more than a decade have continued for four nights.

Imamoglu's ban this week has sparked massive protests in Turkey. Many see his arrest as an attempt to oust Imamoglu from the race for presidential elections, expected to be held in 2028. Imamoglu is seen as incumbent President Recep Tayip Erdogan's main rival.

Erdogan, in turn, has condemned the riots and accused the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) of trying to “expose peace and polarise people”.

Police had questioned Imamoglu about five hours on Saturday as part of the investigation that he helped the terrorist group Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). On Friday, it had been questioned for four hours over corruption charges. The mayor has denied all charges.

He was later sent to the courtroom, where he was interrogated by prosecutors. It's among the approximately 100 detainees.

For the last four nights, thousands of people have taken to the streets across Turkey in largely peaceful demonstrations.