Turkish authorities detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu over alleged corruption and terror links, revoked his diploma, and restricted protests and social media. His party calls it a political move.

Turkish authorities have taken Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu into custody amid an investigation into alleged corruption and links to terrorism, according to media reports.

The state-run Anadolu Agency reported that prosecutors have also issued arrest warrants for around 100 individuals, including businessmen and journalists.

Imamoglu stated in a social media post early Wednesday that police officers had gathered outside his residence.

Broadcaster CNNTurk reported that law enforcement officials were conducting a search of his property as part of the probe.

Later, Imamoglu’s press aide informed the AFP news agency that the mayor had been detained and transferred to police headquarters.

Authorities have implemented a four-day ban on demonstrations in Istanbul, seemingly to prevent protests following the arrest. The NetBlocks internet observatory reported early Wednesday that access to multiple social media platforms had also been restricted.

The detention follows an announcement from Istanbul University that it was revoking his university diploma due to irregularities, impacting his potential candidacy in the next presidential election.

A university degree is a requirement for presidential candidates.

The institution declared that the degrees of 28 individuals, including Imamoglu, had been invalidated due to "obvious error."

A member of the center-left Republican People’s Party (CHP), Imamoglu was expected to be officially nominated as the party’s presidential candidate this weekend.

Elected as mayor of Istanbul in 2019 and again in 2023, he defeated candidates from the ruling conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP).

The position of mayor in Istanbul holds particular political significance, as it was where Erdogan began his political career in the 1990s.

Having led Turkish politics since becoming prime minister in 2003, Erdogan would need to hold elections earlier than scheduled in 2028 if he seeks another term under constitutional rules.

In a post on his X account, Imamoglu expressed his determination to continue.

“The will of the people cannot be silenced through intimidation or unlawful acts,” he wrote. “I stand resolute … I stand firm in my fight for the fundamental rights and freedoms.”

CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel condemned the detention, calling it “an attempted coup against our next president.”