Türkiye’s prisons, the mayor of Istanbul, who was expected to be nominated by the president

On Sunday, a Turkish court imprisoned the mayor of Istanbul pending trial on charges of corruption, according to the state -run Ankamulu Agency, where it freezed a potential competitor in the upcoming presidential elections in Turkey and the supreme competitor of President Recep Tayeb Erdogan.

The mayor, Ikrim Morglo, was He was arrested at his home on Wednesday, Four days before his appointment to protect the presidential candidate for the political opposition to Turkey. He denied the accusations against him, which was contacted by the opponents of Mr. Erdogan to a trick to prevent the famous politician from running for the presidency.

The state -run news media said that the court had ordered imprisonment on charges of corruption awaiting trial. The general prosecutors of the state were accused by the leadership of a criminal organization, supervision of bribery, forging bids and other financial acts in the city hall.

He also accused him of the prosecutors of supporting terrorism by coordinating a political with a group supporting men during the local elections last year. The court has not yet ruled whether he was imprisoned for these accusations as well.

The prison decision, IMamoglu, which has been elected three times since 2019, has sparked the possibility of removing him from his post.

The critics of Mr. Erdogan, who controlled Turkish policy for more than two decades, accused him of undermining the state’s authority to undermine his competitors. But they say, the arrest of a presidential competitor to eliminate him from the race before he starts A new level of tyranny.

Some European leaders criticized the arrest of the mayor, prompting protests around Türkiye, and called on the Turkish government to support the rule of law. Senior American officials said few said.

Steve Whittov, President Trump’s envoy in the Middle East, did not mention the detention of the mayor interview With the former Fox News broadcaster Taker Carlson Posted on X on saturday. But he said that Mr. Trump recently spoke with Mr. Erdogan. The invitation was not announced by the White House at the time.

“There is a lot of good and positive news that comes out of Türkiye now as a result of that conversation,” said Mr. Witkeov.

Although Mr. Imamoglu was detained, the main opposition party in Türkiye, the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, had been on the preliminary elections on Sunday to formally appoint his presidential candidate. The party members voted throughout the country, and the party called on non -party members to also go out to the voices of symbols to support the imprisonment of the mayor.

The current presidential term for Mr. Erdogan, the second, ends in 2028. While the constitution limits presidents to two full periods, it can run a law again if Parliament calls for early elections, which led to a shortening of its second mandate.

Many people in Türkiye expect that. If so, it is possible that the 54 -year -old Imamoglu is prohibited from the race and will not be able to challenge Mr. Erdogan, 71.

IMamoglu prison can disrupt the administration of the largest city in Türkiye. The city government employs more than 100,000 people and supervises a number of companies that build housing, manage public transport and implement infrastructure projects.

The major protests against the detention of Mr. Imamoglu erupted at night in cities across Türkiye, despite the government’s efforts to stop them. Public demonstrations have been banned in the three largest cities in the country, and humanitarian social access has been restricted, and the main transit centers have been closed to the demonstrators’ ability to gather in public squares.

On Saturday, the Ministry of the Interior said that 343 people were arrested during the protest, and the office of the Istanbul Governor, which is appointed by Mr. Erdogan, will be prevented, “they are likely to participate in illegal protests” from entering the city.

East Savac The reports contributed.