The authorities in Turkey arrested dozens of people for “provocative” posts on social media, after being detained on Wednesday by the Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem imamglu.
Imamglu was one of more than 100 people on charges, including corruption and helping terrorist groups – a move that caused protests in Istanbul and the Ankara capital.
A member of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), Imamoglu is a key rival of President President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and should have been appointed as a presidential candidate for elections 2028. Later this week.
The critics describe his arrest as a “state blow” and plan to further demonstrations, despite the Istanbul governor who imposed a four -day ban on protests.
The Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Thursday morning that the police are an Internet 261 “suspect manager”.
They allegedly published the content that violated the laws on “encouraging the public to hatred and hostility” and “encouraging to commit crime.”
“Thirty -seven suspects caught and the efforts continue to capture the other suspects,” he said, adding that more than 18.6 million posts on Wednesday to 0600 local time (0300 GMT) appeared on Thursday on Thursday.
But these efforts have not been distracted by the demonstrators.
Tens of thousands gathered on Wednesday in front of the Istanbul City Hall. Some asked the Government, while others sang “Erdogan, dictator”.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel addressed the fans on a rally and invited them to “fill the streets”. The Party spokesman told the AFP news agency Ozel that on Thursday in 2030 (1730 GMT) he would re -address the crowds outside the hall on Thursday.
Police clashed with protesters in several places, a tear gas and a spray from the pepper shot.
Turkish authorities also limited the use of social media across the country after arrest on Wednesday, including the use of WhatsAppa, According to internet guards based in the UK.
Dozens of police officers were involved in the attack on Imamoglu’s house in Istanbul early Wednesday morning.
He was one of 106 people detained in surgery.
The arrests have come as part of the main burglary throughout the country in recent months, aiming for opposition politicians, municipalities, journalists and figures in the entertainment industry.
Local prosecutors also announced on Thursday that they had seized a construction company owned by Mayor Istanbul, as part of an investigation into alleged financial crimes.
Opposition data says arrests are politically motivated. However, the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday criticized those who related Erdogan to arrests and insisted on their independence of the judiciary.
Last year, Imamoglu won the second term as the mayor of Istanbul, when his Party of CHP swallowed the local elections there and in Ankari.
It was the first time since President Erdogan came to power, his party was defeated throughout the country on the ballot box.
The elections were also a personal blow to the president, who grew up and became the Mayor of Istanbul in the rise to power.
Erdogan has served his duty for the last 22 years, both as the Prime Minister and President of Turkey. Due to his term of office, he cannot re -run for duty in 2028, unless he changes the Constitution.
The selection of CHP presidential candidate, in which we have the only person leading, should take place on Sunday.
Opposition groups are now calling for demonstrations that day.
