The Mayor of Istanbul appeared before police for questioning on terror -related charges, a day after he was questioned about the allegations of corruption.
Ekrem Imamoglu’s detention this week has provoked widespread protests in Turkey, with protesters gathering in various cities to express their opposition.
Home Affairs Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 343 suspects were detained in protests on Friday night, adding: “There will be no tolerance for those who try to violate society, to threaten people’s peace and safety and pursue chaos and provocation.”
A police officer kicks a flare -up flare -up on Friday during a rally in Istanbul. Pic: ap
Police officers used pepper spray during the collisions. Pic: ap
Mr Imamoglu was Wednesday detained in a dawn attack about allegations of financial crimes and ties with Kurdish militants.
Dozens of other prominent figures, including two district mayors, were also detained.
According to a court document that Reuters saw through the news agency Reuters on Saturday, he denied counts of terrorism.
Mr Imamoglu is a popular opposition figure and is seen as a top -day for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Many people consider the detention as a politically -driven attempt to remove him from the next presidential race, which is currently scheduled for 2028.
Government officials, however, reject the accusations and insist TurkeyThe courts work independently.
Police surveyed Mr Imamoglu for about five hours on Saturday as part of an investigation into the allegations of the prohibited Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, the Cumhuriyet newspaper reports.
A day earlier, he was questioned four hours about the accusations of corruption.
Mr. Imamoglu rejected all charges during both interrogations, and in a post on X, it described it as a ‘coup’.
In a court document seen by Reuters, Mr. Imamoglu said: ‘I see today during my interrogation that my colleagues and I are confronted with unthinkable accusations and slander.
“These slamers will bounce back after beating the walls in the heart of our country.”
In a veiled reference to Mr. Erdogan added: “It is imperative that our country get rid of this mentality as soon as possible, who think it is entitled to do everything to protect [its] Seat. “
Mr. Imamoglu is expected to be transferred to a Rechts Building later on Saturday for interrogation by prosecutors and to face possible charges.
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Pic: ap
Friday in the police in Istanbul Used pepper spray, tear gas and rubber bullets to push hundreds of protesters back that tried to break through a barrier in front of the city’s historic aqueduct while throwing flames, stones and other objects with officers.
Police also distributed groups that gathered outside the town hall for a third night, after opposition republican People’s Party leader Ozgur Ozel gave a speech to support the mayor.
Pic: ap
Pic: ap
At the same time, police broke up protests in the capital Ankara, as well as in the Aegean coastal city of Izmir.
A five -day ban on protests was implemented in both cities after a similar measure was introduced in Istanbul.
Thousands have marched in several other cities and requested the government to resign.
Earlier, Mr. Erdogan said the government would not tolerate street marches and accused the opposition party of ties with corruption and terrorist organizations.
“An anti-corruption operation in Istanbul is used as an excuse to stir turmoil in our streets. I want it to be known to not allow a handful of opportunists to bring turkey just to protect their looting schemes,” he said.
Mr. Imamoglu is expected to be nominated in a primary school as the Republican People’s Party’s presidential candidate on Sunday.
Mr Ozel said the primary, in which about 1.5 million delegates can vote, will continue as planned.
The opposition party also requested the citizens to participate in a symbolic election on Sunday – through improvised polls to be erected across Turkey – to solidarity with Mr. To show imamoglu.
