Authorities in Turkey have arrested dozens of people for “provocative” social media posts, after detaining the mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu on Wednesday. Imamoglu was one of more than 100 people held on charges including corruption and aiding terrorist groups – a move that has sparked protests in Istanbul and the capital Ankara.A member of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), Imamoglu is a key rival of President President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was set to be named as a presidential candidate for the 2028 elections later this week. Critics describe his arrest as “a coup” and are planning further demonstrations, despite Istanbul’s governor imposing a four-day ban on protests.Interior minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Thursday morning that police had identified 261 “suspect account managers” online. They allegedly posted content which broke laws on “inciting the public to hatred and hostility” and “incitement to commit a crime”.”Thirty-seven suspects were caught and efforts are continuing to catch the other suspects,” he said, adding that more than 18.6 million posts appeared online about Wednesday’s arrests by 0600 local time (0300 GMT) on Thursday. But these efforts so far have not deterred demonstrators.Tens of thousands gathered outside Istanbul’s city hall on Wednesday. Some demanded the government’s resignation, while others chanted “Erdogan, dictator”. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel addressed supporters at one rally and called on them to “fill the streets”. A party spokesman told AFP news agency Ozel is expected to address crowds outside the hall again on Thursday at 2030 local (1730 GMT).Police clashed with demonstrators in several places, firing tear gas and pepper spray.Turkish authorities have also restricted social media usage nationwide after Wednesday’s arrests, including the use of WhatsApp, according to UK-based internet watchdog Netblocks. Dozens of police officers were involved in the raid on Imamoglu’s house in Istanbul early on Wednesday morning.He was one of 106 people detained in the operation.The arrests come as part of a major nationwide crackdown in recent months, targeting opposition politicians, municipalities, journalists and figures in the entertainment industry.Local prosecutors also announced on Thursday they had seized a construction company owned by the Istanbul mayor, as part of a investigation into alleged financial crimes. Opposition figures say the arrests are politically motivated. But the justice ministry on Wednesday criticised those who linked Erdogan to the arrests, and insisted on their judicial independence.Last year, Imamoglu won a second term as Istanbul’s mayor, when his CHP party swept local elections there and in Ankara.It was the first time since President Erdogan came to power that his party was defeated across the country at the ballot box.The elections were also a personal blow to the president, who grew up in and became mayor of Istanbul on his rise to power.Erdogan has held office for the past 22 years, as both prime minister and president of Turkey. Due to term limits, he cannot run for office again in 2028, unless he changes the constitution.The CHP’s presidential candidate selection, in which Imamoglu is the only person running, is set to take place on Sunday.Opposition groups are now calling for demonstrations that day.
Turkey arrests dozens for online posts after Erdogan rival held
