ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Istanbul Mayor and prominent opposition figure Ekrem Imamoglu was “temporarily suspended” from his position on Sunday, following a court order for his formal arrest on corruption charges, according to the Turkish interior ministry. Imamoglu, who is seen as a leading rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was suspended “as a temporary measure,” the ministry stated. His arrest comes days after he was detained as part of an extensive investigation into a criminal organization. Prosecutors say that 99 suspects, including Imamgolu, were involved in bribery, extortion, fraud, unlawful data acquisition, and tender rigging, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency. The court on Sunday determined that there was “strong suspicion” of Imamoglu’s involvement in various crimes, including organizing a criminal network and data violations, Anadolu added. Earlier in the day, Turkish state media reported that an Istanbul court had formally arrested Imamoglu on corruption charges, four days after his detention on graft and terror-related charges. In a statement Imamoglu delivered in court, that was relayed by Anadolu, the Istanbul mayor dismissed the accusations as politically-motivated and part of a broader “conspiracy” by prosecutors. “Every page they write is garbage,” he said, slamming the alleged terrorism links as “offensive.” Imamoglu, is a senior member of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and is regarded as Erdogan’s biggest political rival. His arrest came days before the CHP was set to nominate him as its presidential candidate for the 2028 presidential election. On Wednesday, Turkish police raided Imamoglu’s house and detained him for “various crimes” including aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Ankara designates as a terrorist organization. More than 100 suspects were also arrested in the operation. Imamoglu’s detention sparked protests in Istanbul and several other Turkish provinces, with supporters of the sacked mayor clashing with riot police. According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, at least 323 people were arrested during the mass protests on Saturday. The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) condemned Imamoglu’s arrest on Sunday, calling the charges "fabricated" and politically-motivated. Imamoglu’s potential presidential candidacy had also taken a heavy blow on Tuesday when a Turkish university revoked his university diploma, citing irregularities. If the decision is ratified, Imamoglu could be blocked from running in the 2028 presidential vote.
Turkey21-05-2026Suspension of main opposition leadership targets Turkey-PKK peace process: Mediating party
