Turkey intensifies actions against Istanbul’s opposition leaders

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    Turkish officials intensified their measures against Istanbul’s opposition-led government on Saturday, apprehending 30 individuals in connection with alleged corruption activities. This group included a former member of parliament from the primary opposition, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), as well as the mayors of three districts in Istanbul under CHP governance. The state-operated Anadolu Agency revealed that these arrests arise from four distinct corruption probes centered on the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

    The recent wave of detentions marks the fifth phase in a serious crackdown on Istanbul’s administration, which began on March 19 with the arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu over corruption charges. Imamoglu, perceived as a potential strong contender against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s long-standing authority, managed to trigger widespread protests demanding his release and condemning the erosion of democracy in Turkey under Erdogan’s leadership.

    Critics argue that Imamoglu’s arrest, along with the imprisonment of several other CHP figures, is rooted in political motives. In a statement addressing supporters in Duzce, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel remarked, “This time the coup didn’t come with boots and tanks, but with prosecutor’s robes.” On the contrary, the government maintains that Turkey’s judicial system operates independently and without political interference.

    Previous waves of action against CHP-led municipalities and districts transpired in late April, followed by additional detentions in late May, resulting in a significant number of individuals taken into custody. This persistent legal pressure on Istanbul’s opposition-aligned government comes amid a charged atmosphere within Turkey’s political landscape.