Police Arrest Istanbul Mayor Over Alleged Corruption and Terror Links

FILE PHOTO: Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 31, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 31, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File Photo
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Police Arrest Istanbul Mayor Over Alleged Corruption and Terror Links

FILE PHOTO: Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 31, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 31, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File Photo

Turkish police on Wednesday arrested Istanbul’s mayor — a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and terror links, media reports said.

The state-run Anadolu Agency said prosecutors issued detention warrants for the mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, and some 100 other people. Among those detained was Imamoglu's close aid, Murat Ongun.
Authorities closed several roads around Istanbul and banned demonstrations in the city for four days in an apparent effort to prevent protests following the arrest.
The arrest came during a search of Imamoglu's home, but it was not immediately clear if police confiscated anything at the site.
A day earlier, a university invalidated Imamoglu's diploma, effectively disqualifying the popular opposition figure from running in the next presidential race. Having a university degree is a requisite for running in elections under Turkish law.
The mayor’s party — the main opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP — was to hold a primary on Sunday where Imamoglu was expected to be chosen for its candidate in future presidential elections. Türkiye’s next presidential vote is scheduled for 2028, but early elections are likely.
With all the arrests on Wednesday, it was unlikely that vote would be held.
“We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged,” Imamoglu said earlier on Wednesday in a video message posted on social media. He accused the government of “usurping the will” of the people.
CHP's chairman, Ozgur Ozel, denounced Imamoglu's detention as a “coup.”
“Currently, there is a power in place to prevent the nation from determining the next president,” he said. "We are facing an attempted coup against our next president.”
Separately, police also detained a prominent investigative journalist, Ismail Saymaz, for questioning, the opposition-aligned Halk TV reported.
In nullifying Imamoglu’s diploma, Istanbul University cited alleged irregularities in his 1990 transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus to its Faculty of Business Administration. Imamoglu said he would challenge the decision.
The opposition leader faces multiple lawsuits, including allegations of trying to influence a judicial expert investigating opposition-led municipalities. The cases could result in prison sentences and a political ban.



IRGC’s Intelligence Warns Iranians Against Cooperation with Mossad

In Tehran’s Palestine Square the far mural on the tall building displays slogans on a map pointing at Israeli cities that read in Hebrew: “All targets are within reach, we choose” (top) and in Farsi: “All the targets are available, we will choose” on December 4, 2024. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images 
In Tehran’s Palestine Square the far mural on the tall building displays slogans on a map pointing at Israeli cities that read in Hebrew: “All targets are within reach, we choose” (top) and in Farsi: “All the targets are available, we will choose” on December 4, 2024. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images 
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IRGC’s Intelligence Warns Iranians Against Cooperation with Mossad

In Tehran’s Palestine Square the far mural on the tall building displays slogans on a map pointing at Israeli cities that read in Hebrew: “All targets are within reach, we choose” (top) and in Farsi: “All the targets are available, we will choose” on December 4, 2024. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images 
In Tehran’s Palestine Square the far mural on the tall building displays slogans on a map pointing at Israeli cities that read in Hebrew: “All targets are within reach, we choose” (top) and in Farsi: “All the targets are available, we will choose” on December 4, 2024. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images 

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence organization issued on Saturday a warning that cooperation with the Mossad or the Zionist entity will result in the maximum legal punishment.

“Any form of intelligence cooperation with the Mossad is considered a criminal offense,” said an IRGC statement broadcast on the country’s state television.

It also warned from “any interaction or exchange of information with official or unofficial individuals affiliated with the Zionist regime, as well as any cultural, media, or propaganda activity, or assistance that supports, promotes, or legitimizes the Zionist regime”.

The Revolutionary Guards said these actions are considered crimes under articles 6, 7, 8, and 10 of the “Law on Combating Hostile Actions of the Zionist Regime.”

The intelligence also noted that any perpetrators will face “the maximum punishment.”

On Saturday, Iranian media reports said five individuals were arrested in Yazd, a central city in Iran, for allegedly filming and collaborating with Israel.

Tensions between Iran and Israel escalated on Friday amid several waves of airstrikes against each other, after the latter launched its biggest-ever air offensive in a bid to prevent its longtime foe from developing a nuclear weapon.

In a related development, Iran’s security authorities arrested on Saturday several individuals allegedly tied to Israel.

According to a brief statement carried by Tasnim, 14 suspects were arrested in Hormozgan, southeastern Iran.

Officials claimed that the suspects contributed to public unrest through social media activity.

They said the detainees face charges including “supporting and promoting the activities of the Zionist entity, spreading rumors, disturbing public opinion via social media, and carrying out propaganda activities against the regime.”