24.03.2025 08:30
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested on corruption charges, but not on terrorism charges. Regarding the arrest that has become a hot topic in Turkey, AK Party Istanbul MP Süleyman Soylu stated, "This issue that has been happening in the last 4-5 days is not our issue. It is a power struggle within the CHP; it is a struggle for fate; it is a struggle for rent."
As part of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the proceedings of 51 suspects, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who were decided to be arrested by the peace criminal court after their statements were taken in Çağlayan, have been completed.
Under intense security measures, the vehicles carrying the arrested suspects have entered the Marmara Closed Penal Institution.
İMAMOĞLU ARRESTED ON 5 CHARGES
In a statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was noted that the suspect, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, was arrested on charges of "establishing and managing a criminal organization," "receiving bribes," "embezzlement," "illegally recording personal data," and "interfering with a tender" as part of the financial investigation conducted by the on-duty peace criminal court.
The statement also included, "Although there is strong suspicion of the charge of 'aiding a terrorist organization' against Ekrem İmamoğlu, it was decided to reject the request at this stage since he was already decided to be arrested for financial crimes."
SOYLU: THE POWER STRUGGLE WITHIN CHP
Following the developments, a statement also came from the Chairman of the Interior Affairs Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and AK Party Istanbul Deputy Süleyman Soylu.
Speaking at the iftar of the Bahçelievler District Presidency's Vefa and Organization, Soylu stated: "The issues that have occurred in the last 4-5 days are not our issues. It is a power struggle within the CHP; it is a struggle for fate; it is a struggle for rent."