Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu arrested in corruption probe

Istanbul Mayor and Turkish opposition leader Ekrem İmamoğlu has been detained as part of a large-scale anti-corruption operation, Istanbul prosecutors said on Tuesday.

According to local reports, the Istanbul Prosecutor's Office issued arrest warrants for 105 government officials and political activists, with İmamoğlu among those taken into custody.

The investigation, launched on corruption charges, includes a probe into municipal tenders and alleged links between opposition officials and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Turkey considers a terrorist organization. Police also detained İmamoğlu's aide, Murat Ongun.

Authorities are conducting a search at İmamoğlu’s residence in the Sarıyer district of northern Istanbul, and internet access in parts of the city has reportedly been disrupted, with restrictions imposed on messaging apps.

The operation comes a day after Istanbul University annulled İmamoğlu’s higher education diploma, citing irregularities. The legitimacy of his diploma had been under scrutiny following a request from the city’s Prosecutor General's Office.

In a statement, the Istanbul Governor’s Office announced a ban on public demonstrations from March 19 to 23.

Following his arrest, İmamoğlu was taken for a medical examination before being transferred to court for further proceedings.