Turkey arrests dozens for online posts after Erdogan rival held

The authorities in Türkiye arrested dozens of people for “provocative” social media posts after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ikrim Imamoglu on Wednesday.

IMamoglu was one of more than 100 people detained on charges including corruption and terrorist groups – a move that sparked protests in Istanbul and the capital, Ankara.

Imamoglu is a member of the Secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), a major competitor to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and he was appointed as a presidential candidate in the 2028 elections later this week.

Critics say that his arrest is a “coup” and they are planning for more demonstrations, despite the pro -Aurdogan governor who prohibits protests for four days.

On Thursday morning, Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya announced that the police have identified 261 “suspects account managers” via the Internet who claimed to end the content “incitement to the public to hatred and hostility” and “incitement to commit a crime.”

“Thirty -seven suspects were arrested and efforts continued to capture other suspects,” he said, adding that more than 18.6 million jobs appeared on the Internet about the arrest of Wednesday by 0600 local time (0300 GMT) on Thursday.

A message posted on the xamoglu’s x account On Thursday, Türkiye called for “standing against this evil as a nation”, and urged the members of the judiciary and Erdogan to fight injustice.

“These events have exceeded our parties, the political ideals. This process is now related to our employees, which is your family,” said Imamoglu. “It is time to raise our voices.”

Perhaps the mayor of Istanbul spent its first night in detention, but the municipality is still controlled by the opposition party.

When the passengers resigned trains at metro stations throughout the city, one of the general sermons of IMamoglu were registered from the loudspeakers: “I am honored to win this battle.”

University students walked in the streets chanting, “We are not afraid, and we will not be silenced, and we will not obey” – a joint opposition slogan in Türkiye.

However, the number of demonstrators is still relatively young for a city of more than 16 million people. Currently, they are unlikely to cause political pressure on Erdogan to launch Imamoglu.

The mayor’s office, who is detained for the demonstrators for the gathering, called on a second consecutive night outside the municipal hall.

The leader of the Chp Ozgur Ozel addressed the supporters in one march on Wednesday evening and invited them to “fill the streets”.

IMamoglu was one of 106 people arrested in the Wednesday operation.

The arrests follow a major campaign in the country in recent months, which target politicians, journalists and numbers in the entertainment industry.

More fear for interrogation will be presented in the coming weeks as part of a intimidation campaign.

Opposition figures say the arrests are motivated. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Justice criticized those who linked Erdogan to arrest, and insisted on their judicial independence.

Imamoglu won the second period of Istanbul Mayor last year, when the CP party invaded the local elections there and in Ankara.

This was the first time since President Erdogan reached the power that defeated his party throughout the country in the ballot box.

The elections were also a personal blow to the president, who grew up and became the mayor of Istanbul as he ascended to power.

Erdogan has occupied his position over the past 22 years, as Prime Minister and Prime Minister. Because of the limits of the duration, he cannot run for the position again in 2028, unless the constitution changes.

The Chp presidential candidate, in which 1.5 million members will vote and Imamoglu will be the only person who runs, on Sunday.

The party also called on citizens to vote in symbolic elections, with plans to put ballot boxes in regions throughout Türkiye so that people show their support for the detained mayor.