ISTANBUL — Police on Friday fired tear gas to disperse a group of protesters who clashed with officers outside an Istanbul courthouse while rallying in support of the city's mayor, who was called to give testimony in two new legal probes against him.
As Istanbul mayor testifies over legal probes against him, some of his supporters clash with police
Police on Friday fired tear gas to disperse a group of protesters who clashed with officers outside an Istanbul courthouse while rallying in support of the city's mayor, who was called to give testimony in two new legal probes against him.
By The Associated Press
January 31, 2025 at 10:23AM
Ekrem Imamoglu, a potential future leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, and a possible challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, testified before prosecutors for two hours. The testimony was in connection with comments he made about a chief prosecutor and a court expert. Critics argue that these probes are part of an effort to remove Imamoglu from the political scene.
The politician has already been convicted of charges of insulting members of Turkey's Supreme Electoral Council and faces a political ban if his conviction in 2022 is upheld by a high court. He is also on trial on charges that he was involved in the alleged rigging of bids in a tender dating back to 2015.
Thousands of supporters gathered outside the Caglayan courthouse to protest the legal actions against Imamoglu. Tensions escalated when riot police blocked a CHP bus, which serves as a podium for politicians, from approaching the courthouse. The move led to clashes between the protesters and the police, who responded with tear gas. It was not clear if any arrests were made.
Imamoglu later addressed the crowds from the top of the bus at another location.
''Today's issue is an issue of justice, an issue of seeking rights and justice,'' the mayor said. ''Unfortunately, today's issue stems from a conspiracy that is being set up against Istanbul.''
Imamoglu, 53, was first elected to lead Istanbul in March 2019. His win was a historic blow to Erdogan's Justice and Development Party, which had controlled Istanbul for a quarter-century. The party pushed to void the municipal election results in the city of 16 million, alleging irregularities. The challenge resulted in a repeat of the election a few months later, which Imamoglu also won.
Imamoglu was reelected mayor of Turkey's largest city last year.
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