Turkey arrests dozens over online posts after Erdogan presidential rival detained | BBC News

Authorities in Turkey have arrested dozens of people for "provocative" social media posts after the mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu was detained on Wednesday.

Imamoglu was one of more than 100 people held on charges including corruption and aiding terrorist groups - a move that has sparked protests in Istanbul and the capital Ankara.

A member of the secular Republican People's Party, Imamoglu is a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was set to be named a presidential candidate for the 2028 elections later this week.

Critics say his arrest is a "coup" and are planning further demonstrations, despite Istanbul's pro-Erdogan governor banning protests for four days.

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Post from BBC News on March 20, 2025