Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu imprisoned, pending trial in Turkiye

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has arrived at prison after a Turkish court formally placed him under arrest pending trial on corruption charges, days after his detention triggered mass protests across the country.

Imamoglu was taken to Marmara Prison on Sunday near Istanbul’s Silivri district. He has called for more nationwide protests.

The court on Sunday said Imamoglu and at least 20 others were jailed as part of a corruption investigation. The court in Istanbul did not press “terror” charges against the 53-year-old jailed mayor.

“Although there is strong suspicion of aiding an armed terrorist organisation, since it has already been decided that he will be arrested for financial crimes, (his arrest) is not deemed necessary at this stage,” it said.

Later Sunday, the Interior Ministry said Imamoglu has been removed from mayoral duty after his formal arrest and jailing.

Al Jazeera’s reporter Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from Istanbul, said several others who were charged were ordered released, pending trial.

Since “terror” charges were not slapped on Imamoglu, the court will not be able to appoint a government trustee to the municipality of Istanbul, the country’s largest city. The mayor would be elected from within the municipal council, Koseoglu said.

“It is good news for the main opposition party [Republican People’s Party (CHP)], which controls a majority in the municipal council,” she added.

In his first response after the court ruling, Imamoglu said he will not bow down.

“We will, hand in hand, uproot this blow, this black stain on our democracy… I am standing tall, I will not bow down,” the Istanbul mayor said in a post on X.