Istanbul mayor, a main Erdogan rival, arrested, internet restrictions imposed in Turkey

Turkish police arrest Istanbul’s mayor — a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and terror links, media report.

The state-run Anadolu Agency says prosecutors issued warrants for some 100 other people. Authorities closed several roads around Istanbul and banned demonstrations in the city for four days in an apparent effort to prevent protests following the arrest.

Turkey is also restricting access to multiple social media platforms including X, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, the Netblocks internet observatory said.

The arrest came after a search of Ekrem Imamoglu’s home, a day after a university invalidated his diploma, effectively disqualifying the popular opposition figure from running in the next presidential race. Having a university degree is a requisite for running in elections under Turkish law.

The mayor’s party — the main opposition Republican People’s Party — is to hold a primary on Sunday where Imamoglu was expected to be chosen for its candidate in future presidential elections. Turkey’s next presidential vote is scheduled for 2028, but early elections are likely.

“We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged,” Imamoglu says in a video message posted on social media. He accuses the government of “usurping the will” of the people.