Turkish opposition leaders strongly criticized the detention of Riza Akpolat, mayor of Istanbul’s affluent Besiktas District, on corruption charges. The move has been widely condemned as politically motivated and a blow to democratic practices.
Allegations and Arrests
Akpolat was among 47 individuals detained on Monday as part of a corruption probe, according to Istanbul prosecutors. Allegations include criminal organization membership, bid rigging, and bribery. Police blockaded Besiktas municipal offices during the operation.
Opposition Outcry
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a member of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), decried the arrests, stating:
“We stand by our mayor, we will follow the legal process to the end and expose all illegalities. Public officials and mayors willing to provide statements at any time are being detained in dawn operations, while pro-government media manipulates public opinion.”
Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas also condemned the detentions, calling them undemocratic:
“The detention of Besiktas Mayor Riza Akpolat in a morning operation is incompatible with democratic practices and the principle of the rule of law.”
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel labeled the arrests a politically driven act:
“This is another link in the chain of lawlessness under a politicized justice system.”
Pattern of Trustee Appointments
Following the ruling party’s significant losses in the 2024 local elections, the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has replaced several elected opposition mayors with trustees. Recent examples include the arrest of Ahmet Ozer, CHP mayor of Esenyurt, in October, and the appointment of Istanbul Deputy Governor Can Aksoy as a trustee in his place.
Additionally, on January 10, two co-mayors and four city council members from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party were arrested in Akdeniz municipality.
Growing Tensions
These developments highlight increasing tensions between Turkey’s ruling party and the opposition, with accusations of politicized justice and democratic backsliding intensifying. Opposition leaders vow to challenge these actions and defend democratic principles.