Rights group denounce Türkiye crackdown and arrest of Istanbul mayor

Amnesty International condemned the Turkish government’s detention of over 100 individuals, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, as a severe escalation against political opposition, Jurist News reported.

Dinushika Dissanayake, Amnesty’s deputy regional director for Europe, described the actions as an alarming intensification of suppressing dissent and targeting the Republican People’s Party (CHP).

The detentions extend to district mayors in Istanbul, with a four-day ban on public gatherings prompting expectations of nationwide protests. This crackdown coincides with the CHP’s upcoming presidential candidate selection, where İmamoğlu was a frontrunner. Türkiye’s Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunç defended the actions, asserting judicial independence and citing allegations against İmamoğlu related to terrorism and organized crime, including bribery and fraud.