Arrests and Searches in Turkey

Arrests and searches are being conducted among opposition members in Turkey. State and independent media report that Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is the main political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and has outperformed him in several areas, has been in custody since March on charges of corruption and supporting a terrorist organization. İmamoğlu denies all the allegations.

Several Western countries and human rights groups have repeatedly stated that these actions are anti-democratic and aimed at reducing the electoral opportunities of the opposition.

The Istanbul Prosecutor's Office has permitted the arrests of municipal officials in connection with the case against the mayor of Istanbul. According to the Habertürk television channel, arrest orders have been issued for about 50 suspects. This marks the fifth wave of arrests.