The Turkish prosecutors asked a court for the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, and four of his adjutants, up to terrorism and corruption allegations, said Imamoglus office as thousands protest nationwide, which they call as undemocratic detention.
Imamoglu, an important opposition figure and a potential challenger for President Tayyip Erdogan, was arrested on Wednesday for charges such as the graft and support of a terrorist group.
He denied the indictment and referred to it “unimaginable accusations and defamation”. The court is expected to decide on Imamoglus in the early Sunday.
If Imamoglu is charged with terrorism, this would enable the government to appoint a trustee of the community, according to Turkish law.
On Saturday, thousands of people gathered in front of the country building in Istanbul and the main course, whereby hundreds of police officers were stationed in both places to distribute tear gas and pepper spray pellets to dispel demonstrators when the amount of fireworks and other objects hurled them.
The demonstrators also collided with the police in the western coastal province of Izmir and the capital Ankara for a third night in a row, with the police firing water cannons in the crowds.
The Turkish authorities arrested 323 people during the protests against investigations, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said early Sunday.
“There will be no attempt to damage the public order,” said the minister in an explanation.
The Republican People’s Party (CHP) of Imamoglu, the main opponent, has condemned the detention as politically motivated and asked the supporters to prove lawfully.
The government denies all influence on the matter and says that the judiciary is independent.
The 54 -year -old Imamoglu, who heads Erdogan in some opinion polls, should be appointed by CHP’s official presidential candidate within a few days.
Hundreds were on the streets to a temporary ban on demonstration to support the mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu and protest against the government of Erdogan.
The next election is set for 2028, but Erdogan has reached his two -time as President after working as Prime Minister. If he wants to run again, he has to call an early choice or change the constitution.
On Saturday, the President, who has been leading the country for more than 22 years, accused the CHP of “provoking our nation” and added that they would not tolerate vandalism.
