Accused of Supporting the Designated Terrorist Organization PKK and Bribery
Protests Against Arrest Held in Istanbul and Ankara Despite Ban
Europe: "A Blow to Turkish Democracy"
As international criticism arose over the arrest of Ekrem ?mamo?lu, mayor of Istanbul and a strong political rival of Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, Turkey's leading presidential candidate and president for 22 years, the authorities rebutted the claims.
On the 19th (local time), Yılmaz Tun?, Turkey's Minister of Justice, stated in a press release, "It is inappropriate to evaluate the investigation without complete information on the case materials, charges, and evidence."
Minister Tun? asserted, "In our country, the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches is a principle, and the judiciary does not take orders from anyone," adding, "Attempts to link the judicial investigation to our president are shameless and irresponsible actions." This was a rebuttal to speculation that the arrest was politically motivated.
Regarding the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), to which Mayor ?mamo?lu belongs, criticizing the investigation as a 'coup,' he evaluated, "Distorting the judiciary's independent and fair investigation or describing it with words like 'coup' is dangerous and wrong." He also stated, "Inciting street protests and spreading false information to the public with misleading words will not be tolerated."
According to the Ministry of Justice, Mayor ?mamo?lu has been registered in two separate investigations. The ministry announced that a total of 106 detention warrants have been issued for the two cases. On the morning of the day, a total of seven people, including Mayor ?mamo?lu and CHP-affiliated politicians, were arrested. The prosecution charged them with supporting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a Kurdish separatist armed group designated as a terrorist organization, and the PKK's political organization, the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK). Additionally, the prosecution is investigating about 100 suspects, including Mayor ?mamo?lu, for bribery, embezzlement, and fraud during the local elections held in March last year.
The day before, Istanbul University, ?mamo?lu's alma mater, revoked his bachelor's degree. According to Turkish law, only holders of a bachelor's degree can run for president, effectively stripping him of his presidential candidacy rights.
Mayor ?mamo?lu emerged as the leading rival to President Erdo?an, who has been in power for 22 years, by winning re-election as mayor in Istanbul, considered Turkey's political epicenter, in the local elections last March.
The authorities closed roads near Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, and banned city protests for four days, but protests against Mayor ?mamo?lu's arrest were held in Istanbul, the capital Ankara, and other areas on the day.
International voices of criticism, especially from Europe, have been raised. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, emphasized, "Turkey must support democratic values, especially the rights of elected officials," adding, "We hope Turkey will take root in Europe, but this requires a clear commitment to democratic norms and practices," according to AFP.
Annalena Baerbock, Germany's Foreign Minister, described the incident as "a blow to Turkish democracy," and pointed out, "We are clearly witnessing the shrinking space for opposition politicians," according to AP News.
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