Turkish authorities detained a former mayor along with dozens of municipal officials in the western city of Izmir on Tuesday, as part of a broader crackdown targeting the country’s main opposition party. Police arrested 120 members of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), including ex-Izmir Mayor Tunç Soyer and the party’s provincial leader Şenol Aslanoğlu. Overall, prosecutors in Izmir issued arrest warrants for 157 officials amid an investigation into alleged manipulation of municipal tenders and fraud.
This action follows a series of arrests targeting CHP officials in Istanbul and other areas throughout the year. Notably, Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested in March on corruption charges, sparking the largest street protests seen in Turkey in over ten years. İmamoğlu is viewed as the main rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has been in power for 22 years. Despite being imprisoned, İmamoğlu was officially named the opposition’s presidential candidate. Turkey’s next elections are scheduled for 2028 but could be held earlier.
Many Turkish citizens believe these legal cases are politically motivated, according to public opinion surveys. However, Erdoğan’s administration maintains that the judiciary operates independently and without political influence. The recent crackdown follows the CHP’s strong performance in local elections a year ago.
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