ANKARA, Turkey — On Tuesday, Turkish law enforcement detained 10 high-ranking officials from district municipalities in Istanbul, accused of connections to Kurdish militants, according to state-run Anadolu Agency. This move marks a significant expansion of the government’s crackdown on areas governed by opposition parties.
The individuals taken into custody include the deputy mayors of Kartal and Atasehir districts, along with eight members of the municipal council, all affiliated with the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). According to reports from Anadolu, the authorities suspect these officials of appointing individuals linked to Kurdish militants to municipal posts, which has allegedly enabled the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to gain access to local governance.
Critics of the government view these detentions as an attempt to undermine Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who is perceived as a potential contender against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other opposition leaders in the city. The Erdogan administration denies allegations of judicial pressure, asserting that Turkey’s judiciary operates independently and without interference.
The CHP gained substantial ground in Istanbul and other areas during last year’s local elections, marking a notable setback for Erdogan’s ruling party. Responding to the recent detentions, Imamoglu pointed fingers at Erdogan, stating on social media that these actions reflect the whims of a leader who believes himself above the will of the people.
Additionally, CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel accused Erdogan of undermining the democratic process, stating that the president implies a threat to those elected unless they submit to his authority. “He (Erdogan) is essentially warning: ‘If you democrats unite to defeat an autocrat like me, I will ensure those chosen by the people suffer,’” Ozel expressed during an address to CHP members.
Imamoglu is currently facing the possibility of prison time due to various charges, including those arising from his criticism of legal investigations aimed at him and other mayors. He had previously been sentenced in 2022 for insulting public officials over a 2019 ruling that annulated the initial results of the local elections he won. Should his conviction be upheld by a higher court, he might face a five-year ban from politics.
Last year, the mayor of Istanbul’s Esenyurt district was similarly detained over alleged ties to the PKK, and this year, the Besiktas district mayor was apprehended due to accusations of bribery and bid-rigging—both have firmly denied the allegations.
In the wake of the local elections, several elected mayors from the pro-Kurdish People’s Equality and Democracy Party have been removed from office on purported grounds of PKK connections, with state officials being appointed in their place. The party categorically disputes any claims of links to the banned organization.
