Political tensions escalate in Turkey; Istanbul mayor arrested, gatherings restricted in Ankara and Izmir

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: The Istanbul prosecutor's office issued an arrest warrant on Wednesday for Ekrem Imamoglu and 99 others on charges of corruption, bribery and ties to terrorist groups. However, opponents have called the move a political decision and an attempt by the government to eliminate election rivals.

 

In response to the arrest, widespread demonstrations were held in Istanbul and other cities in Türkiye. Following the increase in protests, the governorates of Ankara and Izmir announced that any gatherings and marches would be banned from today (Friday) until March 25. Erdogan's reaction to Imamoglu's arrest In his first statements after the incident, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that many documents and evidence of financial corruption within the Republican People's Party (CHP) have been submitted to the judiciary by the party's own members.

Erdogan claimed that instead of being held accountable for corruption and financial abuses, opposition leaders are trying to escape the truth with media propaganda and political controversies.

Election competitions and attempts to eliminate main rivals The arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, one of the main opposition figures and a serious competitor of Erdogan in the upcoming elections, indicates the intensification of political repression in Turkey. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) has always tried to consolidate its power by limiting the activities of opposition parties in recent years.

Imamoglu dealt a major blow to the Justice and Development Party (AKP) by winning the Istanbul mayoral election in 2019. He is one of the few politicians who could challenge Erdogan in the upcoming elections. Therefore, his arrest on the eve of the election has led many to believe that the Erdogan government is engineering the election and eliminating its main rivals.

 

On the other hand, the ban on gatherings in Ankara and Izmir shows that the government is worried about the intensification of protests and is trying to nip any civil disobedience in the bud. This situation could lead to an escalation of the political crisis and increased public dissatisfaction in Turkey.

 

Given the current situation, political tensions in Turkey are increasing and it is likely that wider protests will form against the Erdogan government. If this trend continues, the upcoming elections will become one of the most challenging political periods in Turkey.