Imamoglu arrested: Critical day in Istanbul mayor’s investigation – live updates

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was detained on March 19 as part of two major investigations.

After four days, Imamoglu and 95 other suspects appeared at Istanbul’s Caglayan Courthouse to testify.

Here are Türkiye Today’s live updates on the Imamoglu probe:

5.44 p.m. (GMT+3): Istanbul Governorate announced that IBB and Beylikduzu Municipal Assemblies have decided to convene on Wednesday, March 26th for the election of acting mayors

5.03 p.m. (GMT+3): Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has been temporarily suspended from office as a precautionary measure, the Interior Ministry announced. Beylikduzu Mayor Mehmet Murat Calik and Sisli Mayor Resul Emrah Sahan have also been suspended under the same measure.

3:30 p.m. (GMT+3): Three minibuses carrying 48 suspects, including Ekrem Imamoglu, depart Istanbul Palace of Justice en route to prison.

12:26 p.m. (GMT+3): The first statement from Ekrem Imamoglu’s side came after the court ruling, shared through a post on his X account, urging supporters not to lose hope.

“We will remove this coup against our democracy—this dark stain—together,” the statement read. “I call on all 86 million citizens to head to the polls and make our struggle for democracy and justice heard around the world. I stand tall and will never bow.”

12:25 p.m. (GMT+3): Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has been ordered arrested by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on charges of establishing and leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, extortion, unlawful recording of personal data, and bid rigging as part of the financial investigation.

Regarding the charges of aiding an armed terrorist organization, while the court found strong suspicion of a crime, it rejected the prosecutor’s request for arrest on these terrorism charges at this stage, noting that Imamoglu was already being arrested for financial crimes.

11:05 a.m. (GMT+3): Officials from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that no decision has yet been made regarding Imamoglu in the terrorism probe, as the court session has just concluded and a recess was given before the verdict was announced, Turkish media reported.

10:43 a.m. (GMT+3): “Our presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu must be released immediately,” CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Ozgur Celik said.

10.37 a.m. (GMT +3): The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office will appeal the decision to place Ekrem Imamoglu under judicial control in the terrorism probe, Turkish media reported.

10:30 a.m. (GMT +3): Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas gave his first remarks on Imamoglu’s arrest, saying: “The attempt to obstruct Imamoglu is a disgrace to our country. International media have taken notice, and Türkiye’s democracy and judicial system are now under scrutiny.”

10:09 a.m. (GMT +3): The first response from Imamoglu’s party, CHP, came in a post on X, stating: “No despair! The struggle continues!”

10:07 a.m. (GMT +3): Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu, arrested over corruption charges, placed under judicial control in the terrorism probe.

10:05 a.m. (GMT +3): Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu’s press advisor Murat Ongun arrested over corruption charges.

9:50 a.m. (GMT +3): The following individuals were arrested: Bugra Gokce, Chairman of the Board of Directors of IPA; Murat Abbas, General Manager of IBB’s subsidiary Kultur AS; Serdar Haydanli, Tuncay Yilmaz, General Manager of Imamoglu Insaat San. A.; Ali Ilbak and Yusuf Ilbak, owners of Ilbak Holding; Adem Tuncay, BVA Advertising Management Branch Manager; and Ahmet Koksal, one of the founders of BVA Reklam AS.

Also arrested were Ali Nuhoglu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nuhoglu Holding; Eyup Subasi, owner of Populer Reklam Publishing and Genc Populist Media Planning Organization; Serdal Taskin, former IBB Kultur AS General Manager; Kamil Timur Delibas, managing partner of Vegavizyon Reklamcilik; Alper Aydin, CEO of Reklamarea; Ahmet Hamdi Cicek, Mete Sarialtun, Serdar Ozturk, and Mustafa Nihat Sutlas, allegedly one of the partners of Reklam Istanbul.

9:48 a.m. (GMT +3): Those released are: IBB Deputy Secretary General Cemal Ufuk Karakaya, IBB Urban Design Branch Manager Bayram Taskin, musicians Ercan Saatci, Yusuf Yuce, Ahmet Palazoglu, Alihan Aydin, Birsen Sahin, Alperen Aydin, Canan Munuklu, and Vahit Dogan were released with a travel ban and signature conditions.

9:18 a.m. (GMT +3): Within the scope of the corruption investigation, Ali Ilbak, Ali Nuhoglu, and Adem Tuncay were arrested. Ercan Saatci, Alihan Aydin, and Ahmet Palazoglu, who were detained within the scope of the same investigation, were released.

9:15 a.m. (GMT +3): Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA) Chairman Bugra Gokce, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) subsidiary Kultur AS General Manager Murat Abbas, Serdar Haydanli, and Tuncay Yilmaz arrested.

8:11 a.m. (GMT+3): Imamoglu’s questioning concluded after he was referred to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace with an arrest request in terrorism and corruption probes, following his statement to prosecutors.

4:38 a.m. (GMT+3): Imamoglu has appeared before the judge, and his judicial questioning has started as part of the charges against him.

3:10 a.m. (GMT+3): Imamoglu was referred to the court with a request for arrest.

Suspect Ekrem Imamoglu has been referred to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace with a request for arrest on charges of:

▪ Establishing a criminal organization
▪ Bid rigging
▪ Accepting bribes
▪ Unlawful acquisition of personal data.

Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office

3:07 a.m. (GMT+3): Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 323 people were detained nationwide because of protests.

12:50 a.m. (GMT+3): Main opposition CHP leader Ozgur Ozel and other political leaders, including Good Party leader Musavat Dervisoglu, have arrived at Istanbul’s Caglayan Courthouse.

12:10 a.m. (GMT+3): 400 Turkish artists wrote an open letter in support of Imamoglu, who faces corruption and terrorism-related charges. “We do not accept this bullying against Imamoglu and his companions,” the letter stated.

11:50 p.m. (GMT+3): Imamoglu has begun testifying regarding the “corruption” investigation at the prosecution office.

11:10 p.m. (GMT+3): Imamoglu’s testimony in the terrorism investigation was completed after about one hour.

10:22 p.m. (GMT+3): President Erdogan, in a strongly worded tweet, said the main opposition CHP cannot defend Istanbul mayor Imamoglu and cannot claim he is not involved in corruption. Erdogan called for respect for the rule of law. He wrote, “I am asking the CHP leader: Why are you so afraid? Why is there such panic and aggressiveness on your side?”

9:35 p.m. (GMT+3): The statement procedures for 91 suspects, including Imamoglu, who were referred to the courthouse as part of “terrorism and corruption” investigations against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and its Imamoglu, have begun.

9:00 p.m. (GMT+3): Imamoglu on Saturday told police that the allegations leading to his arrest were “immoral and baseless,” according to a statement released by City Hall. “The immoral and baseless accusations directed at me… are designed to undermine my standing and credibility,” he told police, who questioned him for five hours Saturday about allegations of “helping a terrorist organization.”

“This process has not only harmed Türkiye’s international reputation but has also shattered the public’s sense of justice and trust in the economy,” Imamoglu said.

8:45 p.m. (GMT+3): Speaking during an iftar (fast-breaking) dinner in Istanbul, President Erdogan said, “CHP has turned into an apparatus that launders a handful of money-grubbing municipal robbers, not a party that carries the demands of its voters to Parliament.” Referring to the Imamoglu probe, he added, “No one in Türkiye is outside the scope of the law. There is not and will not be a privileged minority in Türkiye that has the freedom to commit crimes.”

8:34 p.m. (GMT+3): The Istanbul Governorate announced Saturday an extension to the ban on all gatherings and demonstrations across the city. The decision, initially in effect from March 19 to March 23, will now cover the period from March 23 at 12:01 a.m. local time to March 26, at 11:59 p.m. local time.

Details to follow on the Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu probe…