51 Individuals Arrested in Ongoing Istanbul Municipality Investigations, Says Justice Minister
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Synopsis
In Istanbul, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc reported that 51 out of 106 suspects in ongoing investigations related to graft and terror ties have been arrested. The probe involves several high-profile municipal officials, including Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, leading to significant protests and unrest in the city.
Key Takeaways
- 51 suspects arrested in Istanbul probe.
- 106 suspects are under investigation.
- 41 individuals are under judicial control.
- 14 remain at large amid the investigations.
- Protests have led to 1,879 arrests.
Istanbul, March 27 (NationPress) Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced on Thursday that 51 individuals have been apprehended out of 106 suspects connected to two ongoing investigations into the Istanbul municipality concerning allegations of graft and terror links.
Among the remaining suspects, 41 have been subjected to judicial control, while 14 remain at large, Tunc stated during a conference with foreign media representatives.
"We stress that the ongoing investigation is being conducted by independent judicial authorities," Tunc remarked, adding that "claims, defenses, and evidence will be assessed throughout the investigation process, and upon lifting the confidentiality of the investigation, the factual information will be disclosed."
On the same day, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared via the social media platform X that Turkish security forces have arrested 1,879 individuals connected to the ongoing protests against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
150 police officers have sustained injuries during these protests, Yerlikaya reported.
On March 19, Imamoglu, along with numerous senior municipal officials, was detained as part of investigations launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Imamoglu was officially arrested and suspended from his position on Sunday, according to Xinhua news agency. He, denying the allegations, is currently held at Marmara Prison in Istanbul's Silivri district.
Following Imamoglu's detention, tens of thousands of Turks have taken to the streets; he is viewed as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's primary opponent in the upcoming presidential elections from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).
On Wednesday, the Istanbul City Council appointed Nuri Aslan from the CHP as the acting mayor.
