The General Prosecutor’s Office of Constantinople in Turkey issued arrest warrants for 44 people, including mayor of the Central Municipality of Pera, Inan Gunny, from the Republican People’s Party (CHP). Gunny is the 16th mayor who has been detained since March 19, in a repression that has led to the arrest of more than 500 people.
Among the prisoners is the mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality ConstantinopleEkrem Imamoglou, the main political opponent of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is being investigated for corruption cases and alleged links with the PKK.
Today’s arrests are related, according to authorities, with corruption cases in public competitions by the Municipality of Constantinople.
On Thursday, the mayor of Chp in the city of Aydin, Ozlem Tsertsioglou, announced its accession to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). CHP leader Ozgur Ozel complained that AKP executives threatened her with prosecution and arrest if she did not join the party.
Tsertsioglou herself, as well as the deputy chairman of AKP, Hayati Yaziji, has denied the charges.