Turkish authorities have detained the mayor of Istanbul's Uskudar district and five others in a police operation, bringing to 16 the number of opposition-run municipalities in the city targeted by raids since the March 2024 local elections. The sweep also brings to 13 the number of CHP mayors in Istanbul now jailed, out of 41 mayors held nationwide under a broader campaign that has seen hundreds of opposition politicians imprisoned over the past year.
Earlier operations have produced long-running legal battles. Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, arrested in October 2024 on terrorism charges, was released last July, while trials against detained politicians are expected to last years. In Ankara, Etimesgut Mayor Erdal Beşikçioğlu and 51 others were arrested over alleged tender irregularities and document forgery.
The crackdown extends to the highest levels of the opposition. Former CHP leader Özgür Özel, removed as party chair by a court in late May, has since founded a new party that now commands 91 seats in parliament, while imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu continues campaigning using AI-generated videos.