Turkey issues arrest warrants for dozens of Istanbul officials
(a year ago)Turkish authorities have issued 47 warrants for Istanbul municipality and staff officials, whose chief political rival, Recep Tayip Erdogan, has been in prison since March, the state news agency Anadolu reported on May 31st. Arrests are based on “in four separate corruption investigations in Istanbul”, reported [...]
Arrests are based on “in four separate corruption investigations in Istanbul”, Anadolu reported, without providing information on how many people have been detained.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's March 19th arrest sparked the biggest protests in Turkey in recent decades.
Turkish police have only arrested nearly 70 people in raids that occurred over corruption allegations in the Istanbul municipality. Among those arrested are Imamoglu's private secretary and private guard, reports the REL.
According to Anadolu, recent arrests are aimed at a former opposition lawmaker and five Istanbul district chiefs.
Private television, Halk, viewed as close to Imamoglu's Republican People's Party (CHP), said the heads of nine counties from 39 total circles were arrested and kept in custody.
The CHP, which nominated Imamoglu as candidate for the 2028 presidential election, has not yet commented on the recent arrests. /Periscope/