21.03.2025 23:42
Protests that began following the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) President Ekrem İmamoğlu are ongoing, and an announcement has come from Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. Minister Yerlikaya stated, "In tonight's demonstrations, 97 suspects were detained."
Protests began across the country following the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The main location of the protests was in front of the İBB campus in Saraçhane, where tensions rose between the demonstrators and the police.
STATEMENT FROM MINISTER YERLİKAYA REGARDING THE PROTESTS
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya provided the latest information regarding the protests. Minister Yerlikaya announced that 97 people had been detained. In a statement made on his social media account, Yerlikaya said: "Our police, with patience and common sense, will not allow those who threaten the peace and security of our esteemed nation, provocateurs, and vandalism. Those who try to terrorize the streets with their calls will never achieve their goals."
"97 SUSPECTS DETAINED"
In the protests that took place tonight, 97 suspects were detained for the crimes of violating Law No. 2911, damaging public property, and resisting to prevent the performance of duty. Our police, who are the guarantee of our peace and security, are on duty day and night."
THE OPERATION IN WHICH İMAMOĞLU WAS DETAINED
An investigation was launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against İBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and 99 suspects for the crimes of "being a leader of a criminal organization," "being a member of a criminal organization," "embezzlement," "bribery," "qualified fraud," "illegally obtaining personal data," and "interfering with a tender." Additionally, an investigation was initiated against İmamoğlu, İBB Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat, Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, and 7 other suspects for the crime of "aiding the PKK/KCK terrorist organization."
Following the detention orders, law enforcement agencies took action, detaining 90 suspects, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, İBB Chief Advisor Murat Ongun, Beylikdüzü Mayor Murat Çalık, Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, and singer Ercan Saatçi. The suspects who were detained and taken to the Istanbul Police Department's Vatan Campus are currently undergoing processing.